Uncommon Sense

By Randall Beard, President, North America

Digital audience measurement is getting better, but few advertisers are tapping a big ad effectiveness opportunity: serving ads to their intended audience.

Featured Reports

The Path to Efficient Trade PromotionsAmerica is pretty bad when it comes to trade promotions—or at least in terms of getting a positive return on that investment. And what’s more, the problem is getting worse. There are, however, ways to turn things around.

The Year in Sports Media Report: 2014This year’s Year in Sports Media report highlights consumers’ global love of sports, which continues to grow. 2014 was a big year for sports, beginning with the Sochi Winter Olympics and then featuring one of the most exciting World Cups ever held.

Q4 2014 Consumer Confidence ReportGlobal consumer confidence ended 2014 with an index score of 96—a decline of two index points from the previous quarter, which comes after several quarters of positive momentum.

Newswire

For most parents, their kids grow up way too fast. They transform from diaper-wearing toddler to attachment-centric first-grader to a fickle teen in what seems like no time, quickly clamoring for independence, privacy and to make their own choices—and that spans into media.

Few markets show the immense potential for consumer products companies like Africa does, but that promise is mirrored by sizable challenges as well. Even with myriad complications, however, companies can overcome the challenge of distribution by getting close to the multitude of small retailers—that’s the true path to success.

Digital audience measurement is getting better: measurers are on the lookout for “fraudulent” views, are working to include only “viewable” impressions, and are measuring what percentage of people reached by a campaign actually belong to the group the advertiser was paying for. So what’s next?

Considering consumers’ strong interest in getting healthier, and recent purchasing trends, “good-for-you” products are positioned for continued growth. In fact, 40% of global respondents say they plan to buy more fruit (41%) and vegetables (39%) in the next six months. How can manufacturers and retailers reach consumers with health and wellness on their minds?

Who are the NBA's biggest fans? With on-court talent hailing from all parts of the globe—from Argentina to Australia—it stands to reason that the NBA has one of the most culturally and racially diverse followings of all sport leagues.

While beauty sales were stagnant last year, sales in several key beauty categories grew within Hispanic households. As a result, Latinos, who represent about 17% of U.S. population, are becoming more important to health care and beauty.

This holiday season also ushered in a transition to the latest generation of gaming consoles (Nintendo Wii U, Sony PlayStation 4 and Microsoft Xbox One). However, even though their devices are new, the vast majority of eighth gen owners are not newcomers to console gaming: nine in 10 have previously owned a seventh gen console.

When it comes to generating buzz for new movies, trailers and TV commercials remain king. That’s because, movie previews and TV spots are the top two ways Americans get their movie info, regardless of age or the ever-expanding list of devices and platforms competing for people’s attention.

As another historic winter grinds on in the northeast and football fans everywhere endure their own seasonal depression now that the NFL season has ended, the January portable people meter survey results come down to one thing for many leading radio formats: deflation.

Half of consumers around the world say they’re actively trying to lose weight, and 75% of them plan to achieve that goal by changing their diet. But the road to good health isn’t always paved with good intentions. So do desires materialize where it counts—at the point of sale?

There’s a wine retailing revolution taking place across America, and it’s happening in the supermarket. No longer confined to specialty shops and liquor marts, wine is carving out its own territory on the grocery floor, which is giving savvy retailers an opportunity to offer convenience and boosting their profits in the process.

These days, album and song sales are just a part of the fragmented music ecosystem. Music consumption today is more accurately measured by multiple metrics—sales, streams, airplay and social—providing the most accurate view of how an artist is truly resonating with fans.

Seeking opportunities to extend your brand’s reach to African-American consumers? A good place to start is inside the pantry and consumer pocketbooks. A recent survey highlights how health and wellness priorities and financial management are two areas where marketers can increase their reach and better connect with African-American consumers.

The 57th GRAMMYs kick-started award show season into high gear last Sunday. “Music’s Biggest Night” celebrated the year’s most popular music and provided the network and advertisers with the type of viewers few other programs can: engaged real-time viewers, and lots of them. An average of 24.8 million adults tuned in to the telecast last Sunday.

It used to be that private-label products were for consumers on a tight budget. However, a global shift has occurred in which consumer sentiment about store brands is overwhelmingly positive. So how can retailers help store brands compete with their more recognized name brand counterparts?

Nearly half of all American households plan to move at some point in the future. And because how many Americans move, and how they make their moving choices, is of enormous importance to the U.S. economy, it’s important to understand where future home and community demand is headed.

Mirroring consumer confidence declines seen around the world, sentiment in the Latin America region decreased three index points to a score of 88 in the fourth quarter, as scores fell in five of the seven countries measured. Peru was the only country in the region where confidence improved and remained above the 100-score optimism baseline.

From the latest nail polish trends to the hippest hair products or the toughest wrinkle fighters, women and men, young and old are shopping in the beauty aisle. In fact, 94% of all U.S. households buy beauty products. So getting the right message to the right customer is a crucial step to improve sales—but it's one that marketers in the industry aren't getting right.

With the rise of technology, consumers can connect with media across a variety of devices, anytime, anywhere. And sports fans, hungry for new content, have wholly embraced this newfound on-the-go convenience.

With the GRAMMYs right around the corner, it’s hard to deny the connection between tunes that resonate with audiences and the impact those songs can have when it comes to advertising—especially with critically-acclaimed music. But can that impact be measured?

After four consecutive quarters of slow and steady regional consumer confidence growth, the Asia-Pacific region ended 2014 with an index score of 106—down one point from the third quarter. While only three of 14 markets in the region registered quarterly confidence increases, nine of 14 countries remain at or above the 100-score optimism baseline.

Branded entertainment has grown into big business, and based on strong consumer sentiment, it’s going to continue growing. And when it comes finding an audience, Tatiana Simonian, VP of Branded Entertainment, says Millennials are at the top of the list for brands.

Despite our best intentions to eat healthily, the contents of our shopping carts don’t always align with our objectives. And when we look around the globe, not everyone places health attributes atop their list of important considerations when they shop for food.

Music streaming is hot, and not just in the U.S., where levels hit new highs in 2014. In fact, all of North America is tuning is, as new data shows that artists are finding big digital success in Canada as well.

African-Americans have a diverse approach to receiving content and information—they fully engage and connect through various mainstream and niche media outlets and platforms, and they consume more content than other groups on all fronts.

After three straight quarters of consumer confidence increases in the eurozone, clouds of pessimism returned in the fourth quarter of 2014, with scores declining in 20 of 32 markets. A silver lining could be found, however, in the fact that European consumer confidence was up three points from the previous year.

As everyone knows, the final game in every NFL season is the largest stage for advertisers, and viewers aren’t just sports fans. A quarter of last year’s viewers tuned in primarily to watch the commercials airing during the game—illustrating the uniqueness of the environment—one where viewers actually WANT to engage with ads.

The Super Bowl has become a national holiday of sorts, characterized by beer, Buffalo wings and boisterous parties. So have we gotten carried away with ourselves to the point where watching the game has become secondary to the party? According to a recent Nielsen analysis, we have not.

To get a broader view of how Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots fans will likely catch Super Bowl XLIX, we explored radio listening and TV watching habits in the home markets of the two participating teams from last year's big game.

For many Americans, Super Bowl Sunday is more than just a football game. It’s a yearly tradition where friends and family gather, eat deliciously indulgent snacks and catch some of the most unique advertisements to grace the small screen.

Consumer confidence in North America dropped one index point in the fourth quarter, but it rose a robust 11 points from the previous year. Within the region, U.S. consumer confidence decreased two index points in the fourth quarter to a score of 106, while confidence in Canada fell one point to an index level of 102.

Understanding the changing nature of global food insecurity—the state of lacking reliable access to a sufficient quantity of affordable, nutritious food—is no easy task. But rapidly evolving technology is helping nonprofits improve their reach to tackle tough issues and deploy resources in the midst of global crises.

The question that marketers and retailers in Russia need to answer is: How do I win with the new Russian consumer who suddenly has far less disposable income than a year ago? Winning today will definitely be difficult, given the environment, which means that assortment and price are more important than ever.

Though consumer confidence scores saw a slowdown between the third and fourth quarters of 2014, people are still finding reasons to see the glass as half full. Confidence scores improved in 39 of 60 markets year over year, meaning that progress is slow, but it is indeed taking place in more than half of global markets measured.

In the wake of New Year’s resolutions, it seems like every other person is actively trying to lose weight. And they are—50% of global respondents in Nielsen’s Global Health & Wellness Survey say they are taking steps to drop a few pounds this year. Among those, 75% are changing their diet. But are they willing to pay more for healthy foods?

As mobile tech continues to permeate the consumer landscape, car manufacturers are ramping up their efforts to help keep customers plugged in while they’re behind the wheel. So as the trend increases, which features are U.S. consumers looking for, which ones are they already using, and which ones could be left at the dealership?

Global consumer confidence has been slowly increasing since the fourth quarter of 2012 and ended 2014 with an index score of 96. While this score marks a decline of two index points from the third quarter, it's two points higher than in the fourth quarter of 2013. The index is still above a pre-recession level of 94 from third-quarter 2007.

With the release of the holiday portable people meter (PPM) survey results, radio programmers across the country are tallying the final results of the annual “all-Christmas” format and assessing how holiday music affected their station’s performance. So were there any surprises under the tree this year?

We’ve just completed a year of transformation in the retail industry, and looking at 2015, it looks like change will remain constant. But change brings opportunity, even within the familiar. Where to begin? Look to the shelf.

Music consumption has changed, but consumers’ appetite for music is as strong as ever. Ninety-three percent of the U.S. population listens to music, spending more than 25 hours each week jamming out to their favorite tunes. The difference from times past, however, is that the way we individually tune is as unique as the ear buds or headphones we sport while listening.

For retailers, getting assortment right—the mix of products available—is crucial to move products from store shelves to our shopping baskets. To do so, capturing people's attention is crucial, but knowing what your shoppers want is perhaps more important. Different consumers will shop channels and categories differently.

We live in a day and age when a Los Angeleno can wake up and check the weather in Wales and a Clevelander can log on and instantly see the news in Costa Rica. But while connectivity has made the world smaller in a lot of ways, U.S. consumers still want to keep up with the happenings in their own neighborhood—and they’re going digital to get that local experience!

On Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2015, President Barack Obama delivered his annual State of the Union address. The address was carried live from 9:00 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. on 13 networks and tape-delayed on Univision. The sum of the average audience for those networks was 31.7 million viewers with a combined household rating of 19.9.

When it comes to differentiation and standing out, brands that partner with a big-name music artist or sports figure are likely to have a notable advantage. And high-octane branded entertainment is a growing way for brands to raise awareness and boost their sales.

As we enter another new year, people all over the globe commonly vow to change the things in their lives that they feel need improvement from the previous year. Shedding some extra pounds was a common response in a recent global survey, and many say they’re actively trying to lose weight. So what diet methods are most popular?

In addition to going wearable, tech has gone drivable—and the connected car is rapidly transforming how people take to the roads. In fact, it’s also having an impact on the way they feel and act when they’re behind the wheel.

Consumers have a multitude of options when it comes to content, which means advertisers have myriad ways to reach them. So it stands to reason that connecting with consumers would be a veritable cakewalk. But as any marketer will attest, it’s not that simple. So which ads connected with viewers in 2014?

On Jan. 1, people around the world made resolutions to better themselves during the new year. But are consumers really—mentally—prepared to commit to change? Understanding how brains process our bad habits is the first step to success for consumers—and brands.

By most accounts, 2014 ended on a positive note for Americans. The employment rate approached pre-recession levels and consumer confidence continued to inch upward. But despite these positives, consumers remain cautious when it comes to spending, even though plummeting gas prices are padding their wallets.

The idea that consumers “engage” with brands is no doubt true for a small set of consumers and a small set of high involvement categories and brands, but for the vast majority of brands, consumers are not engaged to or with brands. They’re just buying them.

For media companies, the fall TV season is when the rubber meets the road. And amid the wealth of new shows, viewers hold all the cards, eagerly sampling the new shows, offering plenty of endorsement and critique along the way. So with so much commotion around fall TV, what role does Twitter activity play in it all?

The Baby Boomer generation continues to play a major role in the housing market, as well as the U.S. economy more generally. Older households are less likely to move and purchase homes, but their sheer size and relative wealth means this generation will account for $1 out every $4 spent on new home purchases or rent in the next five years.

Whether cheering at the game, screaming at their television or radio, buying player gear and wearing it proudly or trash talking on social media, fans are the everyday mouthpiece for their teams. To set the record straight about NFL fandom, a recent Nielsen study ranked each of the 32 NFL teams by “fans”—the share of adults in the respective markets who have watched, attended or listened to a team’s game in the last 12 months.

Similar to last year's most anticipated video games, franchises dominated the mind share of gamers for 2014. New offerings from gaming mainstays Call of Duty, Assassin’s Creed, Madden, FIFA and others were once again eagerly anticipated by their devoted fans. But over the course of the year, a handful of new titles captured consumers' interest to earn a spot on the lists of most anticipated games for 2014.

It’s January 2015, and that means many Americans are already several days into their New Year’s resolutions. But as each year brings its own personal goals and associated challenges, none ever carry as much weight (no pun intended) as the old standby: getting in shape.

While we’re quick to let devices around our wrists track our health, comfort levels vary when it comes to tech and mobile money management. In fact, many of us are still more at ease with seeing dollar signs on a printed statement than on a phone screen or in a mobile app.

The U.N. World Food Programme (WFP), the largest humanitarian agency addressing hunger around the world, faced the challenge of communicating its mission and driving people to action. But ad testing helped identify the messages that conveyed the organization's goals clearly and inspired viewers to take action.

Populations are shifting around the world. Globally, 2 billion people are estimated to be 60 years and older by 2050. But on the other end of the spectrum, more than one-fourth of some of the largest countries' populations are Millennials. Here’s a look back at our top five stories on population shifts from 2014.

While Americans are easing back into their typical radio listening trends as the New Year dawns, radio programmers are getting a first glimpse into what effect their holiday music programming had. While we won’t know the full impact until the rest of December data is available, the early results show just how influential the holidays are to the Adult Contemporary format.

Whether we're singing along to the latest release from a favorite music artist or challenging a group of friends in an online battle to build the best empire, entertainment engages us like nothing else. Here’s a look back at our top five entertainment stories from 2014.

As 2014 draws to a close, we take a look at the wealth of information access consumers have today, as well as how to stand out amid a plethora of choice. We also look back at the top five articles of the year that examine ways to connect with consumers amid a fragmenting landscape.

Consumer product companies spend a vast amount of money promoting their goods and services. The downside, however, is that only one-third of those efforts make money. Yet, companies continue to spend more on both their actual trade promotions and systems to run their promotions. What approach might yield better results?

While Chanukah songs are in limited supply, Christmas songs are numerous. And we’re not just talking about multiple songs, but rather multiple records of the very same song. So whose renditions take the fruitcake?

In Europe, confectionery sales account for the biggest portion of the overall snack category, at $46.5 billion. While organic and healthy snacks are big favorites among global consumers, just about everyone has a sweet tooth, and indulgent snacks are highly desired as well, particularly among younger demographics.

Despite widening choice, Indian consumers prefer to stick with what they know and trust when it comes to investments. Among the less-chosen options, however, mutual funds represent a particularly lucrative opportunity for financial institutions.

Similar to last’s years entertainment titles, 2014's top DVDs/Blu-Rays and books were full of franchises. Audiences, especially teens, are fans of series—in either format. And across entertainment, kids' and young adults' series reigned supreme this year.

From videos to banking to online shopping, digital was top of a lot of marketers' and consumers' minds this year. To wrap up 2014, Nielsen looked at some of the top trends in digital including the latest top U.S. smartphone apps and operating systems.

Young adult fiction adaptations are a growing slice of the box office pie, increasing 6% between 2013 and 2014. And in a survey of consumers who had seen three or more recent movies from this genre, 43% choose it as one of their favorites to go see in a movie theater. So what about young adult adaptations is driving moviegoers to the cinema?

To better understand reach, Nielsen recently analyzed the concept of “reach efficiency” to see if advertisers are spending their dollars effectively. Despite having similar parameters and goals, the analysis found that campaigns can perform differently based on the sites they’re served on.

In addition to commercial radio options, just about every radio market includes the eclectic programming of public radio, which includes more than 900 rated stations offering an eclectic mix of news, entertainment, music and cultural programming in markets large and small.

One in three U.S. households plans to move in the next five years. Many are unsatisfied with their certain aspects of their living situations. The Demand Institute has termed these gaps between what Americans have and what they say they need or want the “Satisfaction Gap.”

In an increasingly connected world, there’s no denying the growing influence of e-commerce. While e-commerce is at different stages of maturity around the world, it’s beginning to gain momentum in Western Europe—a market where trends are accelerating and consumers are in control.

From someone kind of getting devoured by an anaconda to the U.S. Men’s World Cup soccer squad trying to make a go of it to, well, zombies, there’s no shortage of social media fodder during programs—and even in the days after. So what made the list of most tweeted programs in 2014?

Social TV is no longer a new phenomenon. It’s also not limited to live programming. While the majority of the conversations happen during live broadcasts, networks and agencies can now also quantify how much of the discussion happens outside of the live airing window.

Children might be small in size, but they have a big voice when it comes to consumer purchase decisions, particularly those that pertain to books and entertainment. In fact, Nielsen book research indicates that children are driving more book purchases than ever.

From the TV screen to the silver screen, audiences' enormous array of devices and streaming options is making it challenging for marketers to reach their intended consumer across multiple screens. In the case of the movie marketers, the challenge is motivating consumers to put down their devices (or at least silence them!), get off the couch and head to the theater.

Oft perceived as innovators, trend starters and predictors of the next big thing, Millennial males lead the pack, in one way or the other. With significant spending power and men 18-34 years old representing over 30% of the adult male TV market, understanding these consumers' media consumption habits and what motivates them are critical insights for marketers. New research from Nielsen offers a sneak peek into the hearts and minds of this desirable demographic.

While a growing number of consumers are entering the health care system, there is little data available to describe this consumer segment. So rather than trying to attract everyone in this group in aggregate, insurers would be better served by first gaining a foundational understanding of the uninsured consumer.

With today's rapidly evolving technology and ever-present social media changing the way consumers are connecting with the written word, it should come as no surprise that today's teens are finding and consuming content differently from previous generations. But while we typically associate these youthful consumers with being early adopters of new technology and digital content platforms, the reading habits of those aged 13-17 are a mix of old and new.

With increasing fragmentation across the media landscape and a growing focus on programmatic media buying, marketers are hard pressed to uncover a winning formula for advertising success. While myriad factors are involved, two recent studies highlight how finding the right partners—and working together—plays an important part in that success.

Trust is earned, not given. It takes time to earn trust, and consumers' loyalty to private-label brands is no exception. As such, private-label dollar share tends to be highest in regions that have allowed it to mature and develop.

The world has gone digital, and payment methodologies are rapidly gaining prominence among savvy consumers. And when retail banks assess areas of consumer opportunity, they should definitely be looking at the mass affluent, those households with $250,000 to $1,000,000 in liquid assets.

Effective trade promotion isn’t easy. If it was, a lot more than 33% of them would make money. So what’s the secret to beating the odds? A good first step is having good store-level data. But without custom models to derive precise insights, much of the decision-making is still a guessing game.

Sleigh bells might be ringing, but what really gets U.S. consumers in the holiday spirit is, literally, the sound of music! According to a recent Nielsen survey, nearly half of all respondents (49.5%) said hearing holiday music on the radio put them in the holiday spirit.

E-commerce is booming in China, and the good news for American retailers and manufacturers is that the rapidly growing Chinese e-commerce market isn’t limited to just local online offerings. Chinese consumers are willing and eager to buy products from overseas, with 32% of Chinese respondents to our recent survey saying they’ve already purchased overseas goods online.

From smartphones to tablets and even the latest generation gaming consoles, today's technology is changing rapidly. According to Nielsen’s third-quarter Total Audience Report—formerly the Cross-Platform Report—this fragmentation doesn’t apply just to technology; consumers' viewing habits are following suit.

Africa’s consumers are growing in numbers and in buying power. They also have a strong demand for products that meet their specific needs. So what are the best ways to reach Africa’s consumers, and how can marketers ensure they’re delivering messages and products that resonate?

Unlike the rest of the year, when many shoppers' purchases are for themselves or their families, the holidays see people spend big for others. So who are U.S. consumers shopping for this holiday season?

Across the globe, private-label sales and shares are strongest in commodity-driven, high-purchase categories and where consumers perceive little differentiation. On the other hand, categories where innovation and differentiation is important, national brands typically lead in sales.

In recent weeks, the radio industry has been buzzing about a wave of format flips that is bringing classic hip-hop (think Notorious B.I.G. and Snoop Dogg) to the airwaves in major markets. Branded the ‘Boom’ format in several places, this new style of radio is taking off at a time when Urban Contemporary stations—which have traditionally been modern hip-hop’s main outlet—are hitting all-time highs for audience numbers in Nielsen’s portable people meter (PPM) markets.

For anyone who isn’t feeling the holiday spirit yet, getting into the swing of things could be as simple as turning on the TV, according to a new Nielsen survey. In fact, the survey noted that more than 41% of respondents said they get into that holiday spirit by seeing holiday-themed movies, and nearly 62% say they plan to watch annual holiday programming on the tube this year.

Just a few years ago, iPads and iPods topped kids’ holiday wish lists. This year, however, kids—and adults—are thinking bigger. Excitement for this year’s most coveted video games is driving desire for the next generation gaming systems. According to a Nielsen Games study, both kids and teens express very strong interest in owning at least one video game platform in the next six months (86% and 70%, respectively). And 42% of adults are interested in joining this gaming trend!

Most U.S. consumers are digitally aware, but the degree of digital adoption varies, especially when money is concerned. And consumers with the most wealth represent the greenest areas of opportunity for retail banks. But given the diversity across the consumer groups with the deepest pockets, banking marketers need to avoid one-size-fits-all approaches when it comes to digital engagement.

While quality and packaging play a role in the rise of store-brand products private-label growth is partially driven by what’s available on store shelves. In fact, about 60% of global consumers say they would buy more private label if more products were available. But there’s more to private label success than a big selection.

For over 50 years, there was only a single "app" for TV viewers. The sole function of that app—the cable or satellite company—was to stream premium video content. The facts of yesterday’s TV viewing no longer hold. There are now many TV viewing apps available. Enter "the appification of TV."

Sales, sales and more sales. Tis the season for sales and promotions in every aisle of just about every store. But how effective are deep discounts when it comes to the returns? As it turns out, retail promotions work better around Black Friday than at any other time of the year.

Taylor Swift's "1989" has topped the U.S. album charts for a third week running—with over 1.9 million albums sold to date. But sales continue to be only part of the story. On-demand streaming services continue to dominate the news in the wake of Swift’s music being removed from Spotify. Not only are other artists, managers and more weighing in, but YouTube also joined the fray, launching its own long-anticipated premium on-demand service.

Given the wide range of styles and cultures that influence Latin music, the genre offers something for just about everyone. From Marc Anthony’s rhythmic salsas to Daddy Yankee's infectious reggaeton, Latin music is as diverse as its artists, able to bring down the house with everything from twisting tangos to fiery jazz to bombastic thrash metal.

Knowledge is power. While no two people are exactly alike, knowing certain characteristics—age, location, background, gender, income—can help organizations group consumers. For nonprofits, this type of understanding can help them tap into new opportunities by identifying potential donor groups that support their cause.

Long gone are the days of no-frills packaging intended only for those on a tight budget—private labels, also known as store brands, are no longer viewed simply as low-cost alternatives to name brands. Today, perceptions about private label are overwhelmingly favorable—almost three-quarters of global respondents (71%) say private-label quality has improved over time.

Once the last piece of pumpkin pie is eaten, Thanksgiving thoughts that used to turn to naptimes now switch to navigating mall traffic. Many shoppers are looking forward to two of the biggest shopping days of the year—Black Friday and Cyber Monday—eager for deals in-store and online. So just how do these two shopping “holidays” stack up in the battle of the sexes?

Whether it be to satisfy a quick fix on the go or replace a traditional lunch snacks have become much more than in-between-meal indulgences. They’re also a global boon for retailers, as consumers around the globe spend $374 billion on snacks each year. But as James Russo explains, our regional snacking preferences are as individual as we are as consumers.

Rapid changes in technology are transforming lifestyles—and shopping habits. As a result, some products and aisles are battling long-term struggles while others are thriving. Now, more than ever, the path to brand and store growth requires a thorough understanding of the entire store.

While technology continues to influence how we consume content, most parents in the U.S. still place a high level of importance on print when it comes to reading. In some cases, they’re even bigger fans of print than their buying habits indicate.

All established companies must address a key challenge: How to find the next disruptive innovation while reacting to the disruptive innovations of others. To use the language of this year's TIBCO conference, how can one “ride the disruption wave”? Mitch Barns explores three things he's found that can play a big role.

Consumer confidence in the Middle East/Africa region revved up in the third quarter, increasing in all five countries measured by Nielsen’s Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions. With an index score of 112, the United Arab Emirates had the highest confidence in the region, after an increase of three points from the second quarter.

With the holidays fast approaching, seasonal spending in 2014 is expected to rise 1.8% in dollars sales, compared with 1.2% in 2013. And this year, multicultural consumers are pushing shopping carts—and sales growth—through the end of the year.

As global consumer confidence has been on a slow and steady rise for two-and-a half years, concerns about the economy have waned. So what’s keeping us awake at night? While the economy remains a top common concern around the world, fears about war increased in four out of five regions of the world.

Members of the U.S. military and their families represent a specific portion of the population—one that’s also very engaged as a consumer demographic. And savvy marketers know that reaching and engaging them requires differentiated strategies and messages that are as unique as the consumers themselves.

Confidence in Latin America increased one index point to a score of 91 in the third quarter, as three of seven countries measured registered a quarterly uptick. The highest confidence score in the region came from Brazil, which increased one point to 101.

Not only did Taylor Swift sell more than 1.28 million copies of her album “1989” in its debut week, but her entire catalog, save one song, was removed from the streaming service Spotify. This raises the question: What do music consumers do when they can’t find their favorite artists’ music on an on-demand streaming platform?

Consumer confidence in Asia-Pacific recorded an index score of 107 in the third quarter, extending its optimistic streak yet again. The region's score has remained above the baseline score of 100 for nearly three years, dating back to the first quarter of 2012.

It seems like it’s almost never too early to start thinking about the holidays and the wave of shopping that comes with them. And this year, retailers have a little more to be thankful for, as the spending forecast looks positive.

While global consumer confidence showed signs of life in the third quarter, respondents in Europe showed a more tentative outlook. Consumer confidence in Europe increased in 59% of markets measured in the third quarter, compared with 72% that increased in the second quarter, while six of 32 markets reported no change.

Dining out is part of the American communal experience. However, when it comes to restaurant patronage and growth, not all parts of the country are created equal. The 2014 Restaurant Growth Index shows that growth in the industry is primarily driven by two factors: tourism and consumer desire for gathering places.

It's no secret that audiences today are using more than one screen while watching TV. And new research from Nielsen found that earned social media ‘reminds’ people to watch an episode after the live airing.

Today's military members and their families serve their country, but they're also consumers with unique habits! Retailers and manufacturers need to understand these shoppers and their families' consumer behaviors to better reach this segment and serve their specific needs.

Boomers have contributed significantly to the U.S. economy over the years, and they remain significant consumers, particularly with respect to housing. In fact, they’ll spend $1.9 trillion on home purchases and $500 billion on rent between now and the start of the next decade.

Consumer confidence in North America rose four index points in the third quarter to 107—a score that matches Asia-Pacific’s score for the first time since 2005. Confidence in the U.S. increased four points for the second consecutive quarter and confidence increased one point from the previous quarter to 103.

Consumers aren’t the only ones who get wrapped up in the spirit of spending around the holidays. Advertisers are upping their games and spending big to engage with consumers looking for the perfect gift after spending $2.5 billion across key categories last year.

Are you a glass half empty or half full kind of person? If you are the latter, then you’d be pleased to know that just over half of global respondents in Q3 believed the job market would be good or excellent in the next 12 months. This modest increase follows steady but small upticks reported since 2009.

In looking at U.S. radio listening trends in October, it’s clear that Americans were, indeed, ready for some football—and some baseball in select pennant-chasing markets. Sports radio, already on the uptick as we reported last month, shot upward in October, setting several records along the way.

Country’s cross-over appeal isn’t exactly new—country twang has found its way to the pop charts many times over the past 50 years. These days, however, hybrid country-pop music reflects a new generation of fans influenced by other genres topping today’s charts, including rap and hip-hop, among others.

The problem with brand value is simple: no one agrees on it. The GE brand value, for example, in 2011, was variously estimated to be worth $30.5B, $42.8B, and $50.3B by different valuation services. So if valuations vary so wildly, how can CMOs and CFOs begin to understand the value they deliver with their marketing spending?

With Halloween around the corner, our thoughts turn to candy corn, gummy spiders and mini chocolate bars. But U.S. consumers today also craving mobile apps. And just like candy, they tend to stock up on more than they may need.

Global consumer confidence edged up one index point in the third quarter to a score of 98—up from 97 in the previous quarter and up two points from the start of the year. The index, which has been on a slow and steady rise since the first quarter of 2012, has now exceeded a pre-recession level of 94 for three consecutive quarters.

What’s on U.S. retailer wish lists this year? A prosperous holiday shopping season. It’s been a tough year for U.S. retailers, but there are some positives heading into the holiday season. In fact, 22% of Americans are already shopping.

Fragmentation is not exclusive to the media landscape. Choice and variety are just as prevalent in the consumer product realm, and access to information has never been greater, which means Americans are savvier than ever when it comes to where they shop and whether they stay loyal to brands and their products.

Snacks seem to be available almost everywhere we shop. And since 58% of global respondents say that most of their snack purchases are unplanned, it makes good business sense to have snacks at the ready and within arm’s reach.

Today, a company’s reputation is increasingly recognized as a business asset that is central to maintaining and growing business value. Despite this recognition, however, corporate competencies around reputation measurement often lag. So “How do you measure corporate reputation?”

The U.S. retail landscape, much like the media landscape, is fragmenting. At the same time, many consumers are still reeling from the last recession, so spending and sales aren’t climbing the way retailers would like. So if flat is the new norm, how can retailers make the most of the opportunities that do exist?

Do you plan all your snack purchases or do you like to try new snacks on a whim? If you’re like most snackers around the world, the good news is that you don’t have to pick a side. With close to $400 billion dollars spent annually on snacks worldwide, most of us do a bit of both.

While increased reach is a goal for anyone in advertising, many marketers know that audience size is just part of the equation. That’s because simply reaching people doesn’t guarantee resonance, and it certainly doesn’t lock in a sale. That’s why more and more organizations are focused on creating messages that are effective and drive sales.

Today, viewers are consuming content across screens simultaneously. So for marketers, it all boils down to connecting with consumers when and where they’re watching—because more and more of them are buying at the same time.

The ad industry has always been consumed with the latest trends. This should be no surprise, given that marketers and their agencies spend the better part of their days trying to create them. But nothing in advertising has generated more buzz in recent months than programmatic buying. Buying ad inventory more efficiently by applying rules to technology-enabled, automated purchases has marketers salivating.

Snacks are tasty and often fun to eat. But those that just tickle our taste buds are missing key opportunities—today’s consumers expect snacks to serve many needs. Just as no two people are alike, the reasons why we snack are diverse and varied. Still, some common themes arise when we look at consumer snacking habits around the globe.

The “surprise album” seems to become a growing industry trend. But how successful is a surprise release’s limited marketing efforts over a traditional album release? And does a surprise album become less surprising when everyone is doing it?

Beer represents roughly half of Hispanics' beverage alcohol volume sales and is in 45% of all Hispanic households, which is more than non-Hispanics (38.8% of households). As this population continues to grow—Hispanics are expected to make up 27% of the U.S. population by 2040—it will be crucial for retailers to know their beverage preferences in order to serve their needs across retail channels and in bars.

Cars are big business, and as technology continues to permeate our lives, the auto industry is broadening its revenue base by tapping into consumers’ desire to stay connected from behind the wheel. And regardless of tech preference, the modern car offers some form of connectivity for everyone—and that appeal is growing.

As platforms diversify and channel options increase, TV broadcasters need to be aware of audience size as well as repeat viewership. That’s where loyalty comes in to play. Viewer loyalty—akin to brand loyalty—could be a pivotal commodity for marketers looking to find value in a quickly fragmenting space.

When reaching for a snack, how much do we think about the ingredients inside? According to Nielsen’s recent Global Survey of Snacking, it turns out that more respondents around the world care about the absence of ingredients than the addition of them.

The arrival of fall in the U.S. marks an annual turning point for radio listening. Historically, fall and winter see the most radio tune-in during the year, and the uptick that occurs when the leaves turn is most noticeable as consumers everywhere make the transition from summer into the latter part of the year.

Shopping in the U.K. isn’t what it used to be. In fact, it’s not even what it was just a year ago. Today, retailers are finding that more and more consumers are shopping from their mobile devices rather than their desktops and laptops—a shift that presents new opportunities for interaction and engagement.

Consumer product companies spend about $1 trillion each year on trade promotions, but much of that is poorly spent. In a recent study of $555B in promotion events, almost three-fourths didn’t even break even. But some manufacturers have cracked the code, and their promotions perform five times better than the least efficient promoters.

In a fragmented media world where technology is reshaping consumer habits, music continues to be the soundtrack of our daily lives. According to Music 360 2014, Nielsen’s third annual in-depth study of the tastes, habits and preferences of U.S. music listeners, 93% of all Americans listen to music, spending more than 25 hours each week tuning into their favorite tunes.

If you’ve been to a cookout this summer, then there’s a good chance you’ve tried a shandy. Sometimes referred to as Radlers, shandies are the new adult lemonade—because they’re part beer. They’re also having a big impact on the craft beer segment.

In today’s evolving media landscape, television broadcasters are constantly searching for effective ways to promote their programming across platforms, including radio. And now, there’s evidence that radio reach can boost TV tune-in.

Much has been written about the size and breadth of the world’s youngest consumers, the Millennials, but little has been written about the impact this massive demographic will have on the real estate market. With a size that rivals the Baby Boomers, Millennials make up 24% of the U.S. population and will most certainly play a role in country’s housing market—but when?

Hispanics in the U.S. have a current spending power of about $1.4 trillion, but getting to know this diverse group can be challenging without the right insight. That’s because the aggregate Hispanic population comprises several sub-groups, each of which has its own culture, consumer behavior and engagement opportunity.

The market has plenty of research outlining how strong consumer awareness and sentiment is toward corporate social responsibility. The golden question for brands, however, is whether doing good actually helps their bottom lines. The answer, per recent Nielsen research, is that it does.

Shoppers have never been more empowered than they are today. They’re connected, aware of where the deals and best products are—and they have more paths to purchase to choose from. As a result, retailers are challenged to stay on top of trends—and understand what they mean for their businesses.

Millennials are playing an increasingly critical role in an economy continuing its long slow mend. They are no longer Generation Next, but rather Generation Now. Which makes now the time that a number of myths need to be dispelled, or at least qualified, lest they upend company strategies and government policies unnecessarily.

By and large, consumers have always been hands-on when it comes to shopping for consumables. We squeeze the Charmin, smell the flowers and check for cracked eggs before heading to checkout. That’s why it comes as no surprise that the highest-growth product categories for online purchase intentions include e-books, event tickets, computer software, sporting goods and music.

For food manufacturers and retailers, bright spotlights shine on two powerhouse consumer groups for their growing purchasing power: Hispanic consumers and Millennials. But the upside multiplies exponentially when looking at the intersection of these two groups: Hispanic Millennials.

Network radio offers a wide variety of content to American listeners across the country. Because of that national appeal, similar to national television programming, the content from the 46 RADAR networks reaches the top designated market areas as well as a wealth of local towns, communities and neighborhoods.

Integrated multi-screen campaigns are changing the way the industry thinks about advertising and measurement in Canada. The shift in strategy underscores the changing needs of consumers and their ever-evolving media consumption habits.

What does the digital payment landscape look like today, what needs to happen to move the needle forward and who benefits as the shift happens? John Rountree, a principal at the Cambridge Group, offers some key insights.

E-commerce is growing around the world. In fact, global online purchase intention rates doubled—in some cases tripled—between 2011 and 2014 across more than half of 22 categories measured by Nielsen. But not all age groups are shopping online to the same degree.

Prior to the economic rebound, inflation and new space from large stores were the primary drivers of growth in Europe’s existing store formats. With a recovery still some way off, a new race to drive CPG spend is underway, and this race is to develop the modern convenience store.

With more and more Americans warming up to the social TV norm, viewers have become valuable social ambassadors for programmers and advertisers alike as they amplify content and messaging through their social spheres. So are people tweeting about brands?

On Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2014, President Barack Obama delivered a speech regarding the role the U.S. will play in the fight against extremist group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The address was carried live from approximately 9:00 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. ET on 14 networks.

Consumer awareness and interest in social responsibility and sustainability has never been higher, and recent trends suggest that momentum is picking up. And as Amy Fenton notes, brands looking to win with consumers need to be tuned in to their aspirations to be responsible.

Growth in the private-label sector in the U.S. spiked during the recent recession, and that upward trend continued through 2011. As economic conditions improved, however, share growth among store brands flattened. So where do things stand today?

Just like the pumpkin-spiced latte created a major coffee craze, a wave of flavor innovators are unleashing an array of fruit inspirations they hope will have a similar effect on the beverages we enjoy at cocktail hour.

If you build it, they will come. The iconic movie line has perhaps never been as relevant as when we apply it to the current video viewing landscape. After all, quality content these days can independently exist in a space where traditional TV is not the mother of ALL invention—just most of it.

As Internet penetration continues to expand around the world, emerging markets are winning the race to embrace e-commerce. A Nielsen global e-commerce online survey found that the appetite for online shopping is strongest in the largely developing regions of Latin America and Asia-Pacific.

We all live increasingly on our smartphones. In the U.S.—where 171.5 million people (71%) own such a device—smartphones have become the staple of everyday life and the on-the-go tool of choice for consumers looking to catch up on emails, tap their social networks or even tweet about a recent sports game.

With the release of the August portable people meter (PPM) radio-listening trends, we can see which formats benefited the most from summertime audience trends, and a surprise contender has emerged from the pack.

The audio landscape in America today offers more choices for consumers and more types of programming than ever before. Everything from music and sports to talk radio, the variety of personalities and perspectives characterizes not just the diversity of radio content, but also the unique audiences—young and old—that are tuning in each day in markets large and small all across the country.

If there’s one thing that’s clear when we look at online behavior across consumer groups: every demographic is different. This makes it more difficult to reach some consumers than others. It also makes perfect campaign delivery an ongoing challenge for marketers.

While some things get better with age, other things can fall victim to inattention over time. Whether it’s because we’re strapped for time or simply not very interested in the subject, insurance often falls into the “I’ll deal with it later” bucket rather than landing at the top of our “to do” lists.

E-commerce makes it simple for consumers to browse and buy with just a click. If digital retailers and marketers are worried that online shoppers are clicking off before checking out, new research from Nielsen may help to alleviate that concern.

Take out your smartphone—now. Count your apps. How many do you have? How many do you actually use? In an increasingly appified world, that distinction is critical to brand marketers wondering if they should jump into the fray.

According to Nielsen’s National Television Household Universe Estimates, there are 116.4 million TV homes in the U.S. prior to the start of the 2014-15 TV season. The number of homes represents an 0.5% increase from Nielsen’s 2013-14 TV Household Universe Estimate.

Meat sales are a weighty matter. Largely priced by the pound, changes in the meat aisle can have a ripple effect on sales and consumer behaviors across the store. With potential protein supply limitations and corresponding shelf-price increases, now more than ever, it’s critical to understand how the meat department drives sales for shoppers' entire baskets.

Challenge is everywhere, and for many financial services firms, things have been off kilter since the start of the Great Recession. While the economy has bounced back to some degree over the last few years, however, pressures and hurdles aren’t abating for many banks and finance companies. So how can banks beat the odds and regain their footing?

Technology has created an instant gratification society. If we want it, we can have it faster than it takes to type a sentence. And as a result, global online purchase intention rates are growing faster every day.

Bad news is everywhere these days, but most consumers don’t imagine themselves in the situations they see on the news or read about in the papers. Everyday life does include plenty of risk, however, and in many ways, U.S. consumers could be better briefed about how to protect themselves against the unthinkable.

Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Drake, Selena Gomez, Janelle Monáe—many of the artists on the charts today are young and multicultural, just like their fans. With Millennials more diverse than any previous generation in the U.S. and their spending power as a group growing, these young, Multicultural consumers are driving changes across key industries—including music.

Shopping for back-to-school has gotten a lot more complicated since the pencil, pad and paper days. With educational devices—from two-in-one computers to tablet add-ons—as well as school time staples like notebooks and clothes to buy, school shopping has become a mad dash to find the newest gadgets and the best offers.

The trends that are driving Americans' desires to be plugged in and productive are also driving the way they fuel up at the start of each day. And that’s important for retailers to understand, because the first meal of the day is just as important to them as it is to consumers.

The Nielsen Talk series spotlights the perspective of esteemed contributors to the media industry who have a fresh perspective on how to navigate today’s ever-evolving media world. The series kicks off with Bill Day, CEO of Tremor Video.

Successful companies in the private sector have gained deep insight into consumer psychology and individual and collective decision-making. Public policy leaders and program managers can make use of these insights to improve significantly the likelihood of success in achieving their policy goals.

Health and wellness is trending. According to findings in the Nielsen/NMI Health & Wellness in America report, however, we literally want to have our cake and carrot juice—and eat them, too. So why is there a disconnect between what we know is healthy and what we actually do?

There’s never been a time when U.S. consumers have had as much video content to choose from as they do today. But even with myriad options—and more coming online every day—few areas of the media landscape have the power to engage consumers the way local TV does.

Internet use among Canadians is high and growing. According to a 2012 eMarketer report, Canada had the highest level of online engagement in the world that year, as 77 percent of its population was engaging online. With such heavy Internet use, it’s essential that advertisers understand the impact of their online campaigns.

When it comes to food sales, retailers across the U.S. know that times have been pretty tight over the past few years. Dollar sales haven’t really increased since 2011 and unit sales have been relatively flat for five years or more. But where there’s a will, there’s a way, both in the center of the store and around the perimeter.

Consumers hire products to perform services, or "jobs," in their lives. These jobs include a clear spec for perfect fulfillment. For the innovation team at Big Heart Pet Brands (formerly Del Monte Foods before the company sold its consumer food portfolio in February 2014), the job was clear: Take the best of wet and dry cat food that was satisfying for the pets and owners. And they met the spec with Meow Mix's Tender Centers.

African-Americans, Asian-Americans and Hispanics—the “Multicultural” consumers—are taking the music industry by storm. And companies that wish to understand the future of music need to pay close attention to this growing demographic's consumer habits.

Beverage alcohol sales have increased in volume and value over the last 12 months. But what’s on tap? A recent Nielsen survey shows it depends on your age. While beverage preferences vary by generation, however, one thing is clear: Americans of all ages love to relax and unwind with a delicious drink.

The difference between Baby Boomers and Millennials is an important topic in Taiwan. Of a total Taiwanese population of 23 million, Boomers represent 5 million, and Generation Z represents 3 million. The Boomers are passing out of their high-spending years, while Generation Z head toward theirs—important insight for those who want to get ahead of the curve.

Summertime weather can be unpredictable—from clear sunny days to heat and humidity or sudden thunderstorms. And this summer has also presented some surprises on the airwaves, based on the ratings results pouring in from the release of the July portable people meter (PPM) radio listener shares.

In second-quarter 2014, consumer confidence remained high in Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana—new entrants in Nielsen’s Global Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions Survey that made their debut in the first quarter of this year.

Consumer confidence in the Latin America region declined for the second consecutive quarter to an index score of 90 in the second quarter, fueled by falling index scores in six of the seven countries measured. Colombia was the only country that reported an increase from the first quarter, as confidence there climbed two points to 95.

There’s no question that mobile is here to stay. Just look at smartphone penetration, which stands at 70 percent in the U.S. But despite the exponentially growing role of mobile in peoples’ everyday lives, ad spend isn’t keeping pace. So what needs to happen to move things forward?

Big data is a big buzz phrase these days, but not so much in the finance arena. That’s because banks and other financial firms have always been big on consumer data. Traditionally, however, that information has existed in functional or product silos. So how can the financial services sector use big data more holistically?

With tablets, smartphones and laptops at their side, TV viewers can follow their favorite shows, share content and connect with fellow fans before, during and after a program. As a result, the social TV phenomenon is not only affecting the consumer TV experience and program development, but also proving to be a valuable opportunity for advertisers to tap into and leverage the momentum of social conversations.

Consumer confidence in India increased seven index points to 128 in the second quarter, bumping the country up to the top spot among the 60 countries measured in Nielsen’s Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions. The latest increase surpasses Indonesia (123), which previously held the top spot for five consecutive quarters.

In a world that’s increasingly digital and fragmented, where do consumer panels come in to play? Even with the introduction of mobile measurement in our national people meter, panels are still fundamental to measurement. Their role, however, is steadily evolving.

When a video gets posted online, there’s no telling whose hands it can fall into or how popular it may get. And if the video features a catchy tune, sales of the featured song tend to reap the benefit.

Consumer confidence in Europe increased in 72 percent of markets measured in the second quarter, with only six of 32 markets reporting declines. Denmark (106), Belgium (80), Romania (73) and Italy (51) reported the biggest quarter-on-quarter regional increases of six points each.

The private label sector in the U.S. experienced a fairly big growth spike during the recent recession, and that upward trend continued through 2010 and 2011. That growth flattened thereafter, but a few retailers are bucking the norms and finding ways to stand out from the crowd.

U.S. consumer confidence increased four index points in the second quarter of 2014 to a score of 104—an upward trend that started in first-quarter 2013. While confidence has climbed 11 points since then, spending levels at retail are still below where they were before the Great Recession.

One vital factor in the road to economic recovery is the state of the job market. In the second quarter of 2014, an important milestone was reached when half of global online respondents in Nielsen’s Global Consumer Confidence survey said they believed the job market would be good or excellent in the upcoming year, a level not achieved since 2007.

Generally speaking, the management of trade promotion remains relatively immature. Why? In short, companies typically spend twice as much on advertising efforts than they do on revenue management. And when it comes to results, ROI on trade spending ranges across the board—and almost half lose money. So how can this be fixed?

Global consumer confidence increased one index point to 97 in the second quarter of 2014, marking the highest level since first-quarter 2007, according to consumer confidence findings from Nielsen. This forward momentum comes after a stagnant 2013, when confidence was stubbornly stuck at 94 for three out of four quarters.

Growth is a relative term, and different companies use varied strategies to achieve their goals. When Nielsen examined the approaches of 100 top-growing companies in the U.S., for example, it found that a select group was growing in a slightly different way than the rest.

Reaching any desired audience is always a bit of a challenge for marketers, particularly amid an ever-fragmenting media landscape. But when an audience comprises a very small portion of an extremely large population, the challenge rises exponentially. So what’s a good engagement strategy?

For as long as Americans have been hitting the road, radio and the cars we drive have been closely linked. And now, based on findings from a new major market test, we can connect what consumers listen to on the radio with what they buy at the auto dealer.

With the World Cup only coming around every four years, the hype around these matches is huge. And now the the games are over, we take a look at how entertainment—particularly the music and video games—related to the World Cup benefits from the excitement.

When was the last time you had a barbecue without any music? Unless you ran out of batteries or didn’t have a long enough extension cord, the answer is probably never. So the only real question worth pondering is “Which format will listeners tune in to as the BBQ and beach season kicks into high gear?”

As the 2014 FIFA World Cup lit up screens and social feeds across the U.S., Nielsen Social compiled a weekly wrap-up of all the action on Twitter to make sure you had a firsthand look at the minutes and matches that ignited the social stadium.

When big moments happen on TV today, viewers are turning to phones, tablets and computers to share their reactions instantly through social media. And social brand ambassadors—people who tweet about TV and brands—are a large portion of this population. A recent study found that 64% of people who tweet about brands also tweet about TV in an average month.

There’s no denying the impact that digital connectivity is having on our daily routines. It’s changed how we watch video, keep tabs on our health—even the way we connect with our favorite World Cup players. And more recently, digital is starting to transform how consumers pony up cash for their everyday purchases.

“Programmatic” has become a big buzzword this year, permeating through the recent ARF Audience Measurement conference and taking over a panel at the recent Consumer 360 conference in San Antonio. So what does it mean for marketers and how can technology help with challenges like delivering automated, real-time analytic?

The electronic music landscape has evolved into one of the most robust and influential genres in music today. From the way it’s purchased and streamed to the way it’s enjoyed live, this genre comes with its own culture—one that’s sweeping the nation. So who are the genre’s biggest fans?

When it comes to consumers’ everyday lives, technology is becoming ever-more important. In many ways, however, financial services providers and traditional banks have been slow to adopt and innovate. Technology doesn’t have to be a hindrance, however, as Alok Gupta explains.

As the 2014 FIFA World Cup lights up screens and social feeds across the U.S., Nielsen Social is compiling a weekly wrap-up of all the action on Twitter to make sure you have a firsthand look at the minutes and matches that are igniting the social stadium.

With more people saying they're willing to pay more for products and services from socially responsible companies, how can companies communicate that they’re on the same page? Making your social commitment clearly visible on your product packaging is not only a good way to tout your product’s benefits, but it can also be the difference between a purchase and a pass for many consumers.

Earlier this week, I had the honor of participating in a panel at the Aspen Ideas Festival. The topic—“Global trends that will affect us all”—hit on the key issues that will shape our economies and cultures for the next 20 years.

While the size and growing economic influence of Generation Y illustrate its overall importance, Millennials are very different from previous generations. And according to John Rountree, the differences are critical for financial services providers to be aware of in order to build long-lasting relationships with them.

Only about 50 percent of all online ads are considered "viewable." That means about half of ads are never viewed. And associated spend on those ad spots could have been wasted. Understanding an ad's viewability is an important part of creating effective advertising.

Consumers are spending more time on their apps than ever before. Over the past half-decade, the proliferation of mobile devices has transformed us into an app-driven society, presenting marketers with new opportunities to connect with consumers by creating more interesting and sophisticated apps to command their attention.

Whether it’s watching last night’s drama, last season’s premiere of a sitcom or an original series that doesn’t even air on terrestrial television, Americans are digitally smitten with discovering, catching up on and accessing content on their own terms.

The world needs helping hearts and hands to improve the quality of life—and there are many who give selflessly to altruistic activities. Whether we donate our time, money or talent, the ultimate goal is to make an impact in the world around us. Increasingly, we expect the same from the companies we purchase from and work for.

As the 2014 FIFA World Cup lights up screens and social feeds across the U.S., Nielsen Social is compiling a weekly wrap-up of all the action on Twitter to make sure you have a firsthand look at the minutes and matches that are igniting the social stadium.

There’s no substitute for a strong brand reputation. It takes time to build, and it’s hard to regain if it falters. That sentiment has special relevance for banks, as many customers around the world are feeling frustrated by their recent experiences.

When we think about our favorite TV shows, we often think about the characters and key moments that make them so addictive. But there’s no mistaking the power and resonance of the theme songs that run in tandem with the opening credits.

The term “wearables” seems to be a household name these days, as the types of available connected devices that consumers can, well—wear—continues to evolve. And as it evolves, so do users’ data plans. In fact, a new Nielsen analysis shows that Android-powered wearable owners use significantly more data than average Android users.

Kisses. Kit Kats. Krackels. What do these names have in common? In addition to being classic chocolate brands, they’re part of the Hershey family—an iconic name that’s been part of consumers’ lives for more than a century. So how does an iconic brand turn familiarity into future growth?

The term big data might be losing its panache. Not only is there more information than ever, a large portion of it that companies have to work with and analyze has been generated in the last year or so. So when it comes to thinking about the term these days, some of the world’s biggest companies and organizations are more likely to replace the word “big” with terms like “better,” “accurate,” and “real-time.”

Shoppers are more engaged than ever online. Since 2010, online CPG sales in the U.S. have grown 13 percent, reaching $25 billion this year and are expected to reach $32 billion in 2015. Online penetration reached 9.2 percent in 2013, growing 2.7 percent since 2012.

Audio is an integral part of the daily lives of most Americans. According to Nielsen’s Audio Today report, more than 244 million of us (aged 12+) listen to radio each week; that’s nearly 92 percent of the U.S. population. But in addition to the widespread reach of radio, today’s audio landscape offers a large variety of options for listeners to choose from.

How do you make the most of a world where people check their phones in bed, at dinner, and even in the bathroom? The ways to connect with consumers on a personal level have never been more abundant. And the potential for successful marketing is even greater.

It’s a sobering fact that more than 85 percent of new fast-moving consumer good (FMCG) products fail in the marketplace. Yet a small percentage of new FMCG innovations do more than just succeed in the marketplace. Some like Procter & Gamble’s Tide Pods, Meow-Mix’s Tender Centers and Anheuser-Busch’s Bud Light Lime Ritas expand and revolutionize their categories, driving growth for the industry.

With bilingual Hispanic Millennials' size, spending power and influence increasing, it’s no wonder that understanding how to connect with them—and in what language—is top of many marketers' to-do lists. A recent Nielsen neuroscience case study, conducted in collaboration with Univision Communications Inc. and Starcom MediaVest Group’s Multicultural division, found that advertising in Spanish might offer the biggest benefit.

With products in 98 percent of North American households, Kraft Foods Group knew that growing its business would require a deeper understanding of what works, as well as greater insight into to how its consumers react. Over the past 18 months, Kraft, working with Nielsen, has been piloting Multi-Touch Attribution, a new capability which links consumers’ person-level digital media exposures with their household-level purchases in brick-and-mortar stores.

As the 2014 FIFA World Cup lights up screens and social feeds across the U.S., Nielsen Social is compiling a weekly wrap-up of all the action on Twitter to make sure you have a firsthand look at the minutes and matches that are igniting the social stadium.

A recent Nielsen survey found that more than half of global respondents will pay extra for products and services from companies that are committed to positive social and environmental impact. And a closer look at the responses show that age is a big consideration, as half of the respondents who are responsive to sustainability actions are Millennials.

A recent study covering Egypt and Saudi Arabia indicates that while these countries' young Arab populations have some similarities, their perceptions of basic feelings, including happiness, can differ. And these nuances are crucial to reaching this growing group of consumers.

For non-profits with big ambitions and small budgets, maximizing each ad to be effective and memorable is essential. Nielsen and the Ad Council used consumer neuroscience to do just that for The Shelter Pet Project, a non-profit aiming to make shelters the first place potential adopters turn to when they’re looking for a pet.

What do dieting, parenting and innovation have in common? All three have a surplus of books telling you how to succeed, but few of these guides actually work. And many of these solutions fail for the same reasons: they frame the fix in terms of mastering a set of tools, tips and tricks. To really change innovation outcomes, core beliefs about the innovation process must change.

Taking home a trophy isn’t the only way to win at the Tony Awards. Many of the nominees also saw sales increases in soundtracks, albums and other entertainment before and after Sunday night's awards were doled out.

For most of us, mom and dad seem to have super powers balancing their (and our) hectic schedules. However, when they do take a moment to kick up their feet and relax, entertainment is what they’re after.

With Father’s Day around the corner, lots of people are scratching their heads trying to figure out what to get the man who has everything. Turns out, the answer might be as simple as a sandwich, because it appears that food really is the key to a man’s heart.

Among North America consumers, 41 percent plan to retire after the age of 65, and 21 percent even plan to extend retirement past age 70. As a result, many are focused on maintaining their health and wellness to extend their golden years as long as possible. So how can U.S. retailers and manufacturers capitalize on the growing and lucrative segment?

Long considered an up-and-coming sport to both watch and play, the popularity of soccer has been growing steadily since the rise of the soccer mom. In fact, advertisers and programmers looking for a unique opportunity to connect with fans outside well-established American sports, such as football or basketball, take note: the World Cup could be that space.

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful relationship, be it personal or professional. But what happens when the lines between public and private get blurred in a sharing economy? Trust transitions from expected to essential.

After surviving a brutal winter, Americans everywhere likely all had the same thought: “VACATION, VACATION!” And in the spirit of beating the winter blues and securing the ideal “vacay,” or maybe to simply gain some inspiration, more than 40 million people visited a travel website in April.

We’re all getting older, but we’re also living longer. And as the world’s population lives longer, mature consumers are focused on staying active and being healthy. So how can retailers across North America better serve the needs of this growing and lucrative segment of health-focused seniors?

No longer just a place to shop, shopping centers are becoming key activity centers in the social fabric of communities. This concept is nothing new, but efforts to integrate fully into communities have been rare. And in that respect, developers and retailers have a big opportunity to activate communities and become a central gathering space for consumers.

When we compare the U.S. landscape of today with how it looked when the Great Recession, we see an interesting dichotomy of consumer behavior. That’s because many of the people who have bounced back are fundamentally changed as a result, while countless others have yet to actually regain their footing.

Pricing is a key consideration for any product—both for marketers and consumers. In fact, a 1 percent increase in pricing power outstrips what you can do through other methods, like reducing costs or increased efficiencies. Here we outline three key things companies can do to realize optimal pricing power.

This past TV season saw many programs launch beyond the screens we watched them on through social media. TV moments became thousands of messages on Twitter within seconds, with the energy of engaged fan bases, the influence of program stars and press, and the quick creativity of advertisers amplifying posts to millions of people engaged on Twitter.

A down economy, coupled with the ease of use and reliability of the Internet, has given rise to a diverse network of part-time entrepreneurs that is turning personal assets into income. So who is participating in this sharing economy? Perhaps surprisingly, it isn't just younger generations getting in on the action.

Today, traditional TV still accounts for the lion’s share of video viewing, and will likely continue to do so for a good while, but online and mobile are where the growth is. From fourth quarter 2012 to fourth-quarter 2013, the hours consumers spent watching online video grew 30 percent.

From family feuds to office backstabbings to actual stabbings in the back, American viewers love to watch the drama unfold on their TVs. There are more dramas on primetime TV this season than any other genre—accounting for 37 percent of all programming across broadcast and cable. And this is good news for advertisers and programmers alike.

Rather than collecting dust, your seldom-used electronics, sports equipment and power tools could be collecting cash. Many people are already cashing in, as participants around the world are tapping into the sharing economy, an emerging global trend that some authorities value at more than $25 billion.

As gaming companies continue to release everything from next generation consoles to hyper-addictive mobile apps, today’s gamer has a vast array of options to choose from. So what’s a gaming enthusiast to do? For many, the answer is to simply grab the nearest device and play more!

Posthumous releases of musicians’ work can serve as tributes, building on long-time fans’ appreciation and introducing new followers to talented artists. But while music is a wonderful way to tell a story, film can connect the dots in a completely new way. Several recent (and popular) biopics prove that the beat carries on via the silver screen when films extend the lives of artists who are gone too soon.

Last year, IPAs secured 12.1 percent of U.S. sales among craft beers, up from 9.1 percent in 2011, helping them move in to the third most-popular craft style behind Seasonals and Witbier. What’s more, IPAs were the second-largest driver of craft growth in 2013, accounting for 16.8 percent of craft growth. So what’s fueling IPAs' growth?

While advertisers are looking for primetime ad space, they shouldn't forget where the real opportunities lie—with the viewers, who continue to access and engage with TV content in a variety of ways. Knowing when and where to find consumers is crucial to reach them and ensure ads break through the clutter and catch attention.

What makes a great ad? It’s an age-old question with no simple answer despite the countless hours and dollars that have been spent to find out. However, there are several common building blocks among the best-performing ads, regardless of category or brand.

Social TV has turned TV viewing into an interactive experience. And that experience is about connecting in the moment with friends, directly responding to content creators and stars, and starting a dialogue. So who’s Tweeting, and who’s seeing those Tweets?

With Americans everywhere poised to get their summers going in full swing, radio programmers are dialing in as we head towards the first long weekend of the season and the official start of summertime listening patterns. And the April highs and lows for portable people meter (PPM) radio listener shares offer some clues as to what summer may hold for several of radio’s most popular formats.

New to the Nielsen consumer confidence measurement in the first quarter is the addition of three sub-Saharan African markets—Nigeria, Kenya and Ghana. Of the three countries added, Nigeria’s consumer confidence was highest with an index of 120 in the first quarter.

Overindulgence doesn’t have to be a bad thing. And when it comes to television content, heavy viewers represent a weighty opportunity for marketers and brands. In fact, programmers can leverage heavy TV viewers to reduce risk, drive programming and increase advertising efficiency.

Egypt posted the single-highest consumer confidence jump of all countries measured (60) by the Nielsen Global Survey of Consumer Confidence and Spending Intentions in first-quarter 2014, rising 11 index points to 87. Within the Middle East and Africa region, United Arab Emirates (114) and Saudi Arabia (102) reported the two highest consumer confidence scores, increasing four and one index points, respectively

Price is a key motivator of consumer spending behavior, and many sectors are now seeing a proliferation of products at the high and low ends of the pricing scale, but not in the middle. So are consumers not interested in the middle, or are companies simply aiming high or low?

Contrary to popular perception, the healthy aging marketplace isn’t exclusive to Baby Boomers and older consumers. In the U.S., younger generations—including Millennials (between 18 and 36 years old)—are taking personal interest in their health and are increasingly driving sales in health care categories, such as supplements, vitamins and preventive care. This presents a huge opportunity for companies who understand the nuances of each consumer segment’s needs.

Brazil led the way for Latin American consumer confidence with an index of 106, a decline of four points from fourth-quarter 2013. But the biggest regional quarter-on-quarter consumer confidence index increases were reported in Mexico (86) and Venezuela (78), which rose eight and four index points, respectively.

The FMCG space in India is fast-moving indeed, benefitting from a vibrant local economy. Yet while the growth prospects for the sector are abundant, the path ahead isn’t completely clear. So companies looking to engage with this country’s eager shoppers need to listen and act on what they have to say about their needs, preferences and attitudes.

Americans spend more than one-fifth of their time watching traditional TV—and a lot of ads, as a result. Adding to this increased ad exposure is the fact that the number of commercial minutes each hour has increased year-over-year on broadcast television.

Hispanic Millennials are highly engaged with radio. They spend more than 11-and-a-half hours each week tuning in, and the percentage of Hispanics age 18-34 using the medium is an extraordinary 93.6 percent. So what are they listening to?

Consumer confidence in Asia-Pacific increased one index point to a score of 104 in the first quarter, rising in eight of 14 markets, declining in three and remaining flat in three. Indonesia (124) reported the highest score for the fifth consecutive quarter, which was flat compared to fourth-quarter 2013.

Just about everyone connects with music, but where we live plays a big part of how we listen to, buy and engage with our tunes. For example, music aficionados in the Pacific region make up the largest group of subscription streamers in the U.S. Meanwhile, tune enthusiasts in the Mountain region rank second-highest for listening to music as a primary activity.

Consumer confidence in Europe rose two index points to 75 in the first quarter, with increases reported in 21 of 32 markets. And this quarter’s biggest increases came from some of the region’s lowest index performers.

On the national level, radio listening ebbs and flows over the course of the work day. But since every market in America is unique, localized influences play a role in determining how and when listeners come to the radio. To better understand how local markets can differ from the national level, we split the national audience across the portable people meter (PPM) and radio diary markets.

Americans have no shortage of options in every aspect of their lives. The proliferation of devices for consuming content has enabled more choices than most can count. But the “problem” of having too many options—including a growing expanse of content—doesn’t seem to be having an impact on our TV viewing preferences.

Both the universe of U.S. television homes and the TV audience in those homes continue to grow. According to Nielsen's 2015 Advance National TV Household Universe Estimate (UE), there are 116.3 million TV homes in the U.S., up 0.4% from the 2013-2014 estimate of 115.6 million.

Consumer confidence in the U.S. increased six index points in the first quarter to reach 100—the optimism baseline and the highest score since Q3 2007. Canada’s index level declined one point to 99, down from 102 in Q1 2013. This marks only the second time that U.S. consumer confidence leapfrogged Canada’s since the survey’s inception in 2005.

Positive perceptions about local job prospects over the next 12 months increased in the first quarter of 2014 in every region around the world except in Latin America. Almost half of global respondents believed the job market would be good or excellent in the upcoming year, up 2 percentage points from year-end 2013.

Men have gained or maintained trip share in all retail channels except drug stores since 2004. As men assume more household responsibilities, their new influence over how cupboards and refrigerators are stocked requires food manufacturers and retailers to fine-tune their marketing plans or risk losing business.

In the U.S., where cars are an integral part of many consumers’ daily lives, obtaining a driver’s license is the initial step toward independence, and a first-car-purchase is often synonymous with pride and freedom. So who are the car buyers of tomorrow, where do they live, and what drives them through the path to purchase? Here, we shine a spotlight on car buyer intent in the U.S.

Consumer confidence around the world ended on a flat note in 2013, but signs of a brighter sentiment were right around the corner. With an index score of 96 in the first quarter—the highest level since first-quarter 2007, that optimism was validated.

Radio has come a long way since it first began crackling across the airwaves in broad fashion 100 years ago. Today, in addition to entertaining listeners around the globe, radio is a powerful way for companies and brands to engage with consumers.

From tamales to guava fruit, shoppers from all backgrounds are increasingly crossing cultural lines and seeking out foods and flavors traditional to Hispanic cuisine. And retailers are taking notice and rushing to meet this growing demand. But who exactly is driving this growth?

Growth is a popular word today in America, whether you’re talking about the stock market, entertainment choices or census trends. And through it all, the national radio audience continues its upward trend.

While a strong brand holds a company’s promise to customers, a company’s reputation gives it credibility and the license to operate. And for consumers, that reputation plays a strong role in guiding their decisions to buy—or not buy—a company’s products. And in the U.S., that role is growing.

The middle market is a big topic in business today, and discussions on the subject often skew toward economics. But when we look beyond the subject of shifting incomes, we can see that price and value are significant factors as well.

Holidays can revive consumers’ interest in related genres—and this spring’s Easter and Passover celebrations were no exception: the religious genre’s popularity—and sales—grew this month. By exploring how consumers connect with this genre over the holidays and year-round, marketers can identify new opportunities to extend the reach of both religious and mainstream content.

While demand for cars continues to grow around the world, many rely on less advanced forms of transportation for their daily travels. So how do we get around town when we aren’t using a car, or don’t own one? Around the world, we're hopping on some type of two-wheeled vehicle.

The dance craze has arguably been around as long as people have been going to parties. However, these songs—and dances—are more than just passing fads. When we take a closer look at this phenomenon over the last few decades, associated dances’ effect on sales, streaming, and (sometimes) airplay is apparent.

The next breaking news story you see could be on your phone, on your computer, in your office, or at home. In this 24/7 news cycle, consumers expect to get the news in the middle of a busy workday or in the dead of night. They also want it on the device or platform of their choice. And that means news networks have a great opportunity to reach viewers on multiple screens and platforms.

Today’s consumers have a wealth of options at their fingertips when it comes to technology. Yet many products, such as televisions and mobile phones, would be little more than pricey paperweights without the services they need to operate fully. So when it comes to those services, what keeps customers loyal and what inspires them to switch providers?

Automotive demand is picking up pace around the world. So who are the car buyers of tomorrow, where do they live and what drives them along the path to purchase? Nielsen’s Global Survey of Automotive Demand polled more than 30,000 Internet respondents in 60 countries to find out. Here, we shine a spotlight on China.

Many brands today are jumping on the music video bandwagon and incorporating products into big-name artists’ videos. If executed well, a brand’s integration can improve consumers’ perception and attitudes towards the brand. And they can also boost brand perception and purchase intent for even greater impact.

There’s nothing like the power of setting your own prices. It’s not something every brand can do, but when a company offers something that can’t be beat, it creates a significant and lucrative business lever—the ability to name your own price.

As of Q1 2014, for the first time, a majority of U.S. mobile subscribers of all age groups own smartphones. In fact, 51 percent of mobile owners over the age of 55 now own smartphones, up 10 percent from Q1 2013.

Sixty-five percent of online consumers across 60 countries plan to buy a new or used car in the next two years, according to new findings from Nielsen’s recent Global Survey of Automotive Demand. That adds up to a lot of potential car buyers, many of whom are doing their research online before heading to their local dealerships.

March brings big swings in temperature as the seasons begin to change. And on the radio, the month brought highs and lows in portable people meter (PPM) listening shares across formats to round out the first quarter of the year. While some programmers topped or repeated their record-setting results from February to finish the quarter strong, other formats saw shares dip to historically low marks.

The U.S. economy has been slowly improving since mid-2009, but many consumers aren’t seeing—or feeling—much relief. There’s no single cause of the malaise, but many place a good chunk of the blame on financial headwinds that continue to sap their ability to spend.

Automotive advertising has emerged as a class all its own. With auto representing five of the top 10 U.S. ad spenders of 2013, the level of investment speaks for itself. But among these, an elite class of advertisers has accelerated to the top, and Nielsen has named RAM’s "Farmer" as Automotive Ad of the Year.

Wearable tech is a hot trend this season, seen on the sleeves of consumers walking down the street—and even on models walking the runway. Already, about one in six consumers who have heard about wearables are using them, and among them, 61 percent are wearing fitness bands.

Despite their similar life stages and financial situations, goals, savings and confidence among upscale Millennials around the world vary depending on culture and each country’s fiscal policies. Financial institutions should look to consumer sentiment and savings activities country by country to develop strategies to educate and connect with upscale Millennials.

Demand for automobiles is spreading rapidly across the globe, thanks in part to changing population trends, rising wealth accumulation and growing aspirations. Expansion is good news for automakers, but understanding the motivational factors driving this growth in demand is critical to reaching the right consumers. So how can the auto industry effectively connect global consumers to the car of their dreams?

In general, Hispanics place a high value on fresh foods. Retailers who learn these shoppers’ preferences—particularly in the fresh foods space—will benefit as the group's spending power continues to climb.

In March, Veronica Roth’s Divergent, the first book in the dystopian trilogy, was the latest in teen genre franchises to debut in theaters. The arrival of this newest teen franchise begs the question: why have so many of the top films of the last 15 years been designed for a younger audience?

The start of the Major League Baseball season is a highly anticipated event all across America. So how do sports fans engage with all the opening day action? We looked at four key matchups for multimedia insights.

The use of the Internet and technology are increasingly starting to catch on with today’s health-conscious consumers. But while nearly three-fourths of American consumers are interested in staying healthy, few are engaging with the digital realm to help reach their health goals.

Loyalty is highly coveted in today’s media world, particularly among Millennials—some of America’s most connected consumers. Audiences are fragmenting across platforms and their loyalty shifts as they seek out the content that’s most important to them. So it’s important to remember that where you live still holds sway in determining behaviors.

There’s no better way to assess the health and wellbeing of the U.S. than by looking at its communities. While it’s true that no two communities are identical, the diversity of the country’s fabric isn’t infinite. But when we look at the handful of American community profile types, we can see vast differences at each end of the economic spectrum.

Between an aging Boomer population and regulatory changing, health care is at the forefront of many American’s minds. And consumers are now taking more active roles in their health care—from choosing providers to the kinds of insurance and care they get.

With tax day right around the corner and more citizens applying online for subsidized health insurance before the deadline passed, 86 million Americans visited Government websites in February 2014. This was up nearly 2 million unique visitors compared to January despite the shorter month.

Country is the No. 1 radio format in the U.S. based on listener share on the national level. And since 244 million Americans listen to radio each week—that’s over 90% of listeners in nearly every demographic—the genre’s radio popularity is good news for the country music industry. So what songs are generating this popularity? And who’s listening to all this music?

With the 2014 Major League Baseball season now underway in the U.S., hope is springing eternal in baseball towns across the country as the long march toward the postseason has begun. And opening day can be a boon for local radio, as was the case in several markets last week as the march toward the postseason began.

Connected bankers make up 33 percent of U.S. households, and they’re worth getting to know—but not just to understand their banking preferences. That’s because the Connected segment is diverse well beyond how it banks.

For a label, management or artist, the goal of a late night TV performance is simple: maximize the artist’s exposure and increase the revenue opportunity. And to do this, it’s vital to understand the key elements that create an effective appearance for on-screen exposure and how it can impact an artist’s overall success.

In the banking realm, where engagement has historically taken place at teller counters, times are changing—and so are consumer banking preferences. And in that way, marketers should make a concerted effort to identify their customers before trying to reach them.

Once the novelty of retirement wanes, many retirees ask themselves: how do I fill the extra free time? Nearly half of all respondents (45%) in a Nielsen global survey of online consumers across 60 countries say that eating healthy is the most important priority after retirement. Other top priorities include staying physically and mentally fit (78%), spending time with family (58%) and maintaining an active social life (37%).

In the Siskel and Ebert era, two thumbs up didn’t just mean that a movie was good. It also meant the movie was worth seeing. Times have changed, and today, movie critics—professional and self-proclaimed—are using their thumbs in other ways to influence moviegoing decisions.

Not all consumers are created equal. In fact, some can be so meaningful from a sales and growth perspective that they’ve been upgraded to “super consumer” status by some researchers and industry observers who realize how meaningful this group can be to companies and brands.

With more people watching and buying online than ever before, advertisers are diving head first into digital to reach their audiences. Online advertising expenditures increased more than 25 percent (26.6%) year-over-year as of the second quarter of 2013 and exceeds several traditional media categories. But are these investments worth their price?

Seventy percent of consumers are already aware of “wearables,” and about one in six (15%) of them currently use wearable tech—such as smart watches and fitness bands—in their daily lives. With experts predicting wearable tech to be the next big thing in consumer electronics, what kinds of gadgets are consumers willing to wear?

The Hispanic radio audience is growing across the U.S., increasing by more than half a million listeners over the past year based on Nielsen’s March 2014 RADAR report. So where is this listening growth coming from?

Times are changing, and today’s digital world is having widespread effects on an array of consumer behaviors, including how we handle our finances. Electronics and mobility are key trends for financial institutions to keep track of, but consumers aren’t ready to sever all ties with their local bank branches just yet.

Three agents of change have affected food retailing in Europe over the last 20 years, and the effects of these factors have culminated in recent times to stifle growth. And how well the CPG industry, particularly in Western Europe, handles the next 12 months or more will hinge on how well companies learn to live with flat—or negative—sales volumes.

Much has been written about the growing wealth and income gap between America’s rich and poor. However, the wealth gap exists not just among individuals, but among entire communities. And we can anticipate where local consumer demand is headed by examining the state of local communities.

For small businesses, the need for a deeper understanding of its customers is growing, and big data can provide that critical insight. And in today’s competitive world, the local bakery needs more than just a fresh croissant waiting for Bill in the morning to keep him loyal.

Radio listeners come in all varieties, and so do their listening preferences. We know that listeners tune in at different times during the day, but we also know they tune in for different reasons. So a big part of radio programming involves determining how to cater to the broader audience while still focusing on core listeners.

There’s no denying the influence that e-commerce is having on the retail landscape, and that influence is starting to go mobile. And as that trend grows, marketers have an opportunity to leverage the influence of consumer preferences.

More than twice as many say people around the world say their ideal retirement age is younger (36%) than what they plan compared to those who say it’s older (17%). So what’s causing the disconnect between wanting and needing to stay employed as we age? It’s likely a matter of finances.

When it comes to measuring success in any industry, there’s no better indicator than sales. The music biz is no exception, as companies continue to worry about the sales cycles associated with specific music singles. When companies focus solely on sales, however, they may miss other opportunities—including the ability to build sales.

Private brand sales accounted for $112 billion in 2013 but have increased just 1 share point since 2009. Amid private brands’ sluggish growth, however, the top 10 retailers have successfully tapped the segment's potential. So what is it about these 10 retailers that make them so successful?

From economics to quality of life, housing can tell us much about the state of Americans today. So having a clear sense of where this market is headed is crucial to understanding consumers. But what does the future hold?

Growing old is a fact of life, and most of us have at least a few concerns about how we’ll manage in our golden years. The biggest fears that the majority of us have pertain to not having the self-reliance it takes to care for our basic needs, losing our physical agility and declining mental competence. So how can industries help?

Sports fans love to follow their favorite games on TV, and their Twitter conversations speak volumes about how much they share their excitement with others. But we can see more than just how many Tweets they’re sending. We can now follow engagement and compare it with engagement levels for other program types.

During the bitter cold-spell sweeping much of the U.S. this winter, more Americans than usual turned to the Internet for entertainment. Four out of-5 U.S. web users access entertainment websites each month, and this January, 167 million Americans visited sites in the entertainment category.

Make no mistake, store brands aren’t what they used to be. Today, U.S. supermarket shoppers spend $1 of every $5 on store brands, and their sales are growing in just about every retail channel. And that spend is having a big impact.

The majority of men and women around the world don’t believe that the sexes are treated the same. And when making financial, technological and retail decisions, they're thinking—and acting—differently.

Despite e-commerce's momentous effect on shopping behavior, it's far from revolutionary; it’s simply an evolution. While many have recognized the opportunities created by new technology, some categories—like consumer packaged goods (CPG)—haven’t capitalized on e-commerce. Nevertheless, CPG manufacturers and retailers can boost sales by engaging with shoppers in new ways and providing unique shopping benefits through their online models.

In today’s digital and social media-driven world, consumers have the world at their fingertips, but are men and women’s fingers doing the same thing? A closer look highlights the differences between what engages men and women—as well as how they react (or don’t) along the way.

From Beck previewing his Morning Phase album for in-flight air travelers to hear via Gogo Inflight Internet before its formal release date to Bruce Springsteen streaming his recent Higher Hopes album more than a week before its release as a promotion for the TV show The Good Wife, there’s more to release dates than a specific date.

Innovation in how we measure mirrors a continuously evolving media landscape. And for the first time in a Cross-Platform Report, Nielsen has migrated the reporting of mobile use and mobile video use from survey-based insights to metered data through electronic mobile measurement.

There’s something interesting happening with men and women and shopping. Women’s incomes are rising around the world, making them a force to be reckoned with. And they’re using their newfound clout to influence purchasing decisions in categories once dominated by men.

Millennials are the social generation, both online and in-person. As the founders of the social media movement, they’re never more than a few clicks away from friends and family. And offline, they prefer to live in dense, diverse urban villages where social interaction is just outside their front doors.

Smartphone ownership grew to 68 percent between November and January 2014, up 9 percent from the start of 2013. And among those who bought their mobile phone within the last three months, a whopping 84 percent chose smartphones for their new handsets.

The video landscape is in a time of major flux, with digital viewing on the rise, advertisers seeking integrated campaigns and yet TV networks still holding most of the cards. But with the emergence of new technologies—and new measurement capabilities—video advertising is poised for change.

Around the globe, aging consumers’ needs are not being fully met. One in five people will be 60 years or older by 2050, and there are regional differences that are important to consider when reaching this valuable consumer segment.

Findings from the Nielsen Global Survey about Aging highlight consumer concerns about growing old and how product and service manufacturers and retailers are meeting the challenges that can arise with age. The findings highlight an array of needed improvements, and the most compelling are included herein.

African-American consumers are more relevant than ever in today’s ever-shifting entertainment market—and their choices are affecting the whole entertainment industry. To capture this influential demographic’s attention, marketers must understand African Americans’ specific tastes and habits to provide content that best suits their interests and needs.

Based on 70 years of watching what consumers experience, and how they buy, how they act and what they do based on their consumption of content, we see a seismic shift coming in the next five years. Nowhere is this more acute than when it comes to television and video consumption.

As a major engine of the U.S. economy, the housing market is steadily watched and analyzed as a barometer for the general wellbeing of the country. Housing, however, isn’t just about economics—or even shelter. It’s a window into the lives of American consumers, and it provides insights that go well beyond home buying and price trends.

Much like the products we buy or the devices we prefer watching content on, services, too, tend to vary according to where we live. According to Nielsen’s 2014 Local Watch Report, this regional consumption of services plays a critical role in the type of healthcare consumers are receiving

While age is just a number, it’s becoming increasingly important to retailers, manufacturers and marketers as shifting population trends favor the elderly. According to new findings from Nielsen, however, industries are largely unprepared to meet the needs of aging consumers.

Smartphones are beginning to transform how we engage in our everyday lives. Only a few years ago, they were still the minority of mobile phones around the globe, but already they’re beginning to transform how we engage in our everyday lives. Today, they have a much more dominant presence.

Mobile shopping is gaining momentum among U.S. consumers, particularly as smartphone penetration continues to grow and tablet ownership gains in popularity. From researching to price comparing to making purchasing, consumers are steadily increasing their e-commerce prowess via their mobile devices.

To everything there is a season, and the music industry is no different. From holiday hits to summer jams, music trends vary with the weather. And understanding such trends can be crucial to success for artists, retailers and labels. So is there a “perfect” time to release a new album?

The start of a new year inevitably brings new resolutions and, for many, attempts to counter the effects from the holidays. It’s the same for many audio formats, which feel the impact of holiday programming on ratings from Thanksgiving until New Year’s. Radio programmers are now seeing those trends reverse in the results from the first post-holiday ratings book in Nielsen’s portable people meter (PPM) markets.

It takes a lot to define a generation, and no two generations are alike. As much of the world is watching the second-youngest generations develop and become full-fledged consumers, marketers are placing more and more emphasis on how to engage with them. So who are they and why are marketers and brands getting to know them?

How can companies rise above the clutter online and on store shelves to capture an audience that is bombarded with options? It’s all about keeping up with—and in many cases, staying ahead of—consumers. And despite the myriad challenges, it’s not as hard as you think. Consumers are more engaged than ever in this hyper-connected world, and a little innovation and effort to reach them where they already are can bring big results.

Love is in the air and in the entertainment aisle. So as we celebrate Valentine’s Day, let’s look at how romance influences music, books and home entertainment—as well as how consumers respond and engage with it—even on days other than Feb 14.

The 15-second ad is already “the new black,” but it has yet to achieve the same level of audience engagement as its longer predecessors. That said, advertisers must now explore this new frontier further to make short-form ads more effective, regardless of the platform.

It’s no secret that Americans love sports. But much like real relationships, this amour is a sometimes complicated dance between fans, teams and players that can bring immense joy or deep heartbreak. No matter what, however, the love and desire for viewing sports content endures all—even the agony of defeat.

Globally, the middle class is growing rapidly. So can you apply the same strategies to engage the global middle class? Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist for The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen, recently discussed the effect these new technologies could have on the expanding global middle class at The Next Billion: A Forum about the Connected World presented by Quartz.

Consumer confidence in the Middle East/Africa region declined two index points in the fourth quarter of 2013, reporting a score of 90. Three-fourths of regional respondents believed they were in recession in the fourth quarter, a figure that topped the level reported in any other region. The pessimistic sentiment was up 1 percentage point from Q3 and 2 points from the same time period the previous year.

Millennials are some of the most connected consumers in America today. They’re also steady radio listeners. And despite rapidly evolving technology, radio continues to engage an extraordinarily high percentage of Millennials across the country each week.

For many, the answer is yes. In fact, one out of every two people around the world say their preferred payment method for daily spending is plastic rather than paper. Collectively, 54% of respondents from a recent global survey say they prefer using plastic over cash.

At 3,212 feet tall with a plunge of 2,648 feet, Angel Falls in Venezuela isn’t the only part of Latin America with drastic peaks and valleys. Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence shows that consumer confidence sentiment also varied widely in the region.

Technology has changed a lot in the last 30 years—even the last three! In Nielsen’s Digital Consumer Report, we explore this transformation and examine how the everyday lives of consumers are now intertwined with the digital world.

Around the world, Asia-Pacific was the only region where consumer confidence increased quarter-on-quarter in the fourth quarter of 2013, rising one index point to 105, according to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence.

In looking at trends shaping up for this year, Nielsen forecasts that global retail sales will be relatively flat, with dollar sales inching up about 1.8 percent. But growth won’t be across the board, as consumer attitudes and preferences have shifted in some areas over the past two years. So where are the key areas for growth?

242 million people listen to the radio each week. But what you may not be conscious of is where and when you’re most likely to tune in to hear your favorite music, news, talk or sports programming… because it depends on your employment status.

Regardless of whether you rooted for the Seahawks or the Broncos, halftime probably offered something for both sides. The Internet is buzzing about Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers and their performances have had an effect on music sales and music streaming.

While the entertainment quotient of Super Bowl XLVIII might be in question by some, the fact that the big game is a pillar of American entertainment can’t be disputed. A large contributing factor in that entertainment experience—some might even consider the driving factor—is the ads.

The “mass affluent” are wealthier than the average Joe but represent just 12 percent of U.S. households, making them notoriously difficult to find and engage. Fortunately, their active online presence presents an intriguing opportunity for marketers to use digital precision marketing to reach this elusive audience while protecting their privacy.

While the economy stabilizes in Europe, consumers have remained wary. Confidence fell in 18 of the region’s 32 markets measured in the fourth quarter of 2013, according to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence. Nonetheless, the worst may very well be over.

When it comes to U.S. consumer packaged goods, e-commerce is still in its infancy, accounting for roughly 4 percent of total CPG sales. But as companies work to eliminate one of the key barriers to online shopping—having to wait for your purchase—the digital channel will capture a much larger share of sales in the future.

There’s nothing quite like watching the Super Bowl—or jumping into the conversation about it on Twitter. And this year’s big game had plenty of action—both on the field and across social media channels.

Canadian consumer confidence increased three index points in the fourth quarter of 2013, reaching the baseline score of 100. The quarterly uptick equalized two previous quarters of declines, bringing the figure in line with the sentiment of 12 months ago. Improved job prospects, personal finances and spending intentions were strong drivers of the hike in consumer confidence for Canadians.

According to preliminary results from Nielsen, the telecast of Super Bowl XLVIII on FOX drew an average audience of 111.5 million viewers, who tuned in to watch the first “cold weather” NFL Championship game.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. But when fruit doesn’t cure what ails you, a solid health and wellness plan might just do the trick. China, which is on pace to produce 37.5 million metric tons of apples in 2013, leads the globe in terms of saving for health-related issues (63%), with the greater Asia-Pacific region close behind (55%).

Around the world, shoppers reigned in their discretionary spending at the end of 2013. According to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence, consumers said they spent less across all categories measured in Q4 2013, compared to Q3.

Football fans are invaluable to their favorite teams, lending their support all season and into the Super Bowl. But which of the super bowl teams' fans give them an edge in the online playing fields? We took a close look at how Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks fans connect with their favorite teams using the Web, mobile, and social media ahead of the big game.

As the debate rages on about the high cost of advertising during the Super Bowl, one thing is certain: big bucks are being spent in attempt to reach the growing audiences and big spenders tuning in on game day. So let’s take a stroll down memory lane and look at some of the ads that have made history over the past five years.

From a gripping show-starter by music’s power-couple Beyoncé and Jay Z, to the historic on-screen wedding (presided over by Queen Latifah and Madonna), this year’s 56th GRAMMY Awards found new ways to surprise, electrify and get its audience talking. In the few hours of performances and awards, music devotees were exposed to some of the best in the industry. But did the most consumed artists end up with the awards?

Energy consumption has been a factor for consumers since the dawn of modern civilization, but in a world of rapidly advancing technology and environmental awareness, it’s never been as topical as it is today. And while consumers are tuned in, they’re more often motivated by price than environmental impact.

Few people have the luxury of taking in the Super Bowl in person, which makes the big game one of the biggest television events every year. It’s also one of the biggest occasions to throw a party. And this year, Americans aren’t holding back in terms of how and where they plan to relish the key matchup between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

Industry and Services and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) advertising continued their reigns as the macro sectors with the highest percentage growth during the first three quarters of 2013, according to Nielsen’s quarterly Global AdView Pulse report.

While consumers are more engaged with food than ever, many have less time for planning and preparing home cooked meals. Growing hunger for convenience—a broad and evolving need—will continue to affect the entire store in 2014.

On Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014 President Barack Obama delivered his second State of the Union address for his second term in office. The sum of the average audience for the networks that carried it live and tape-delayed was 33,299,172 viewers with a combined household rating of 20.7.

Working Moms—the 40 percent of women who have children under age 18 and have full-time jobs—are affluent consumers with limited free time. So how to you reach them? By making their lives easier and anticipating their needs and interests.

By kickoff time this Sunday, football fans and casual observers everywhere will be settling in to watch or listen to Super Bowl XLVIII, an unrivaled broadcasting spectacle in American sporting culture. Yet despite the size of the event has become, there’s still nothing quite like the connection between fans and the local markets.

Sure, dogs have been well-established as man’s best friend for some time now, but according to the January 2014 Local Watch Report, Americans have a blossoming love affair with another trusty sidekick—the mobile device.

As we prepare for this year’s big game and even bigger ads, let’s take a quick look back and commemorate those titans of the ad industry that have consistently proven that they’ve got the creative mojo to score big. And as kick-off approaches, we’re kicking off the Super Bowl Advertiser Hall of Fame because for many, the game is as much about the ads as the game itself.

Global consumer confidence held steady in Q4 2013 with an index of 94, marking the third straight quarter where confidence was at that level. Global confidence was one point higher at year end than it was at the beginning of the year and three points higher than in Q4 2012.

How prepared are we for a broken water heater or an air conditioner on the fritz? To help understand how consumers around the world save and invest for household emergencies, Nielsen conducted a global study about current and future financial goals and the strategies we use to prepare for them.

According to Nielsen’s quarterly Global AdView Pulse report, ad spend by media type continued on trend through the first three quarters of 2013, with television and display Internet advertising leading the charge globally.

The GRAMMY Awards are the music industry’s biggest night—and last year, over 28 million viewers in the U.S. tuned into the 55th show. The show exposes a huge concentration of engaged listeners to some of the newest leaders in music—and can have a enormous impact on sales.

The holidays may seem like a distant memory now. However, before you start breaking your new resolutions, let’s recap the impact of Nielsen’s holiday ratings book, which spanned the four weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas when holiday programming fills the audio spectrum all across the country.

Advertising during the Super Bowl requires very deep pockets, as the average 30-second spot cost marketers well over $3 million the last two years. And the stakes for those dollars are just as big, considering that viewership routinely tops the hundred-million viewer mark.

Regardless of where we live or how much money we have in the bank, staying on track to reach our financial goals takes a dedicated commitment. And when it comes to saving for retirement, many global consumers are putting that commitment on hold for the time being.

From being a symbol of freedom to a way to get from point A to point B, cars capture the heart of millions. In fact, 65 percent of Internet respondents across 60 countries are planning to buy a new or used car in the next two years, according to findings from a recent Nielsen global survey.

Over the past 15 years, e-commerce has grown significantly but remains just below 6 percent of total commerce. So why does it feel like a lot more when we consider the droves of shoppers who are always on their computers and smartphones? According to Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist for The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen, consumers' expectations have evolved.

There’s no shortage of people tweeting about live TV these days—it’s a digital phenomenon and picking up speed. In 2013 alone, 36 million people sent 990 Million Tweets about TV. But until now, we haven’t known how many people tweet about TV and brands— critical information for advertisers who want to benefit from Twitter TV activity to amplify brand messages.

Managing money can be difficult no matter where we live, and in many cases, it feels like we spend our cash before we earn it. In fact, Nielsen reports that globally, we save or invest just 10 percent of our monthly income on average. But is that enough?

“Want to see a movie?” The answer will differ based on personal preference. And according to Nielsen’s State of the LGBT Moviegoer report, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) moviegoers make different choices at the box-office than their heterosexual counterparts.

When it comes to online shopping for cosmetics, Chinese consumers take their time and cover all the bases before they make their purchases. And in addition to spending hours looking for the right products and deals, their paths to purchase often include actively engaging and interacting with brands and online communities before they open their wallets.

When it comes to radio ratings, programmers are consistently focused on determining which listener group is the most influential. After all, appealing to the audience with the biggest influence is the best way to ensure a high-performing station.

In order to keep up with busy consumers, retailers are increasingly finding that they need to innovate in ways that make it easier and more convenient for their customers to get what they need and not miss a beat in the process. Channel and format are the stand-out examples of innovation in retail, but they’re certainly not the only ones.

Over the past decade, innovations have changed consumers’ behaviors and, consequently, retailers’ responses to their needs. Dr. Venkatesh Bala, chief economist for The Cambridge Group, a part of Nielsen, recently discussed the effect these new technologies could have on global consumers and commerce.

Two-fifths of Americans visited food and cooking websites in November, up 2 million unique visitors from October. And regardless of which sites they visited, 86 million consumers spent an average of 25 minutes using these websites—just long enough to prepare or cook a meal.

The need to differentiate from the competition is as great as it has ever been. For stores to stay ahead, they need to encourage consumers to increase the number of trips, grow the size of their basket, or both.

For mainland Chinese visitors to Hong Kong, shopping is a key activity that nine in 10 tourists enjoy. A recent report by Nielsen, however, finds that mainland visitors are coming to Hong Kong less frequently, staying for shorter periods, and spending less on shopping, compared to last year. Nevertheless, accessibility to Hong Kong continues to grow.

Every day counts for radio broadcasters who are trying to maximize their audiences. Peak listening across the country happens at the end of the week, and stations can always find ways to tweak their programming to boost listenership.

Everybody needs to eat, but rising food prices may cause consumers to change their shopping habits—and limit their discretionary spending—to put food on the table. In Ireland, two-thirds of respondents (66%) to a recent report indicate they cannot afford a rise in food prices without making difficult choices elsewhere.

Advertising times have changed for e-commerce dealers in Italy. While online purveyors have taken their advertising messages offline in many regions around the globe, particularly in the U.S., the trend is starting to pick up in Italy. And what’s more, e-commerce dealers are increasing their ad spending while many others are pulling back.

There’s no mistaking the impact the holidays have on consumer behavior: they inspire goodwill toward one another, trigger a fervent rash of consumerism and prompt us to swill egg-based cocktails. And with Christmas just one day away, holiday music has overtaken the radio airwaves to put millions of Americans in the spirit of the season before the dawn of a New Year.

The media and marketing landscape in Australia has evolved at a rapid pace in a very short period. In fact, when we look at how consumers obtained information and engaged with brands 10 years ago, it’s as if we’re looking at an entirely different industry playing field today.

While the holidays are a boon for radio, programmers shouldn’t forget their every-day strategies for keeping listeners coming back for more. One solution we discussed from many different angles this year was how important the number of days of listening is to ratings in Nielsen’s PPM measured markets.

There’s only so much ice skating, tree trimming and fun in the snow when kids are off from school before families hit the movies, and a recent report from Nielsen examines how families with children aged 6 to 11 experience the thrills of the silver screen.

As mobile device and service availability increase, particularly in developing markets, more and more consumers are experiencing the freedom to surf the Web and stay connected wherever their days take them.

Consumers love choices—and Video-On-Demand (VOD) gives them the option to choose what and when to watch. As VOD continues to take an increasing slice of the TV pie, a new Nielsen study found that marketers can take advantage of viewers’ growing taste for this menu-driven content.

In today’s complex media environment, TV advertisers are tasked with finding creative ways to break through and engage viewers. So how do some ads captivate viewer while thousands of others are readily disregarded? To gain insight, we identified the top 10 commercials and branded integrations of 2013.

Over the last few years, premiere sports and special events have dominated Nielsen’s top telecasts list, and the list in 2013 was no different. Different from previous years, however, was the first inclusion of social ranks.

As more Web users shift to mobile and tablet screens, Web activity using computer browsers declined slightly among the top 10 websites in 2013. Online video viewing, however, continued to grow, and YouTube remained the top source for streaming, as 128 million Americans viewed video content on the site each month.

As Americans search through an array of electronic and connected devices for holiday gifts, Nielsen took a look at how ownership of devices has changed over the last few years and what consumer have in their homes today.

Gone are the days of spending the holidays staring into the warm blaze of a crackling fireplace or gazing through the oven window to watch the sugar cookies rise. Today, we look elsewhere for our holiday entertainment.

As the blanket of Black Friday/Cyber Monday promotions increases, the relative newsworthiness of individual promotion-touting ads decreases. This ups the challenge for marketers with respect to creating strong ad memorability and brand identity. Even in the face of these challenges, however, some 2013 Black Friday/Cyber Monday ads performed at above-average rates.

As we head into the holiday season, everyone has that friend or relative who poses a tricky gift-giving conundrum. This year, consumer insights from Scarborough encourage shoppers to think about their gift recipients in terms of consumer groups like working moms, sports fans, arts enthusiasts, connected consumers and status seekers.

To accurately affect the behavior of the U.S.’s diverse shoppers, marketers need to understand distinct preferences for by demographic, category, and retail channel. The new Nielsen Category Shopping Fundamentals study explores the varied mindsets of today’s U.S. shoppers when it comes to making purchases for their everyday needs.

While the Indian economy boasted a 9 percent boost in GDP during its 2007-2011 fiscal years, the last two years have been a different story. In fact, India has been staring down the barrel of a severe economic crunch. But the horizon appears brighter, which should provide relief for India’s FMCG market.

Even if you’ve got your earmuffs on, you can probably still hear the holiday marketing blitz ramping up for the season. It’s Christmas time and the sights and sounds of the holidays are ringing across our screens and through our speakers.

When consumers head out for their everyday shopping needs, are they navigating the store on auto-pilot or are they open to new products and experiences? As with many of the puzzles marketers face, the answer here is anything but clear-cut. And in looking at recent consumer engagement data across 100 FMCG categories in the U.S., the behavior here is quite varied.

Today, Canada is home to 6.8 million foreign-born residents, and that shift is worth noting for any marketer interested in ways to make products and services that cater to Canada’s evolving demographic landscape.

Diversifying palates and a focus on health in North America are driving increased demand for a range of atypical meats at the dinner table, introducing an element of adventure along the way. In year ended June 29, 2012, sales of not-so-typical meats grew an average of 6 percent in the U.S. and rang up more than $350 million in combined sales.

Asian Americans have emerged as a powerful economic force. By building on the group's heritage, academic achievement, adaptability and spending clout, businesses can find considerable growth opportunities among these consumers.

More than 90 percent of Americans turn on the radio each week. Capturing these listeners in total audience measurement will allow marketers to get closer to understanding their shoppers’ daily lives and how to best engage them.

With Thanksgiving officially in the rearview mirror, the airwaves over the next five weeks will undoubtedly have a different ring to them than they did the rest of the year. It’s the holidays, which means that all of the traditions, habits and lifestyle changes that we’re accustomed to this time of year will quickly take center stage—including what we listen to on the radio.

How do you keep your customers satisfied and coming back to your store for more? New findings from a recent survey showed that retailer loyalty program participants valued discounted or free products. But if membership isn’t free and easy--or the benefits aren’t clear--there's a good chance consumers won't join.

Call of Duty may only be a game, but the battle between console manufactures for consumers’ time and money is anything but—especially with the holiday shopping season officially upon us. So which consoles and titles do gamers have their eyes on?

September was a busy month for sports fans. Sports websites attracted more than 87 million Americans and 36 million smartphone owners tapped into the action using a sports app. And that audience is a big opportunity for advertisers.

The line between Black Friday and Cyber Monday is blurring, as many U.S. consumers are going online for holiday deals on the biggest shopping day of the year for brick-and-mortar retailers. While shopping tendencies among all consumers didn’t shift dramatically between 2011 and 2012, there were some significant changes among multicultural consumers.

The shopper and retailer landscape in Asia-Pacific has been shifting on a fundamental level over the past decade, but we’ve also seen marked changes over the past year. While less-recent changes have particularly centered around drivers of store choice, newer shifts are reflective of much different attributes.

In a digital world where the entire entertainment industry is scrambling to engage with fans, the music app is coming to the rescue. There’s no silver bullet or blueprint for guaranteed success in the app realm, which is why understanding how to use them effectively is so critical.

There’s no time like the holidays for lavish feasts and decadent treats, which means it’s time for consumers to start decking their fridges and pantries with food for year-end entertaining. And when December hits, shoppers up the ante when it comes to stocking their baskets with fresh foods.

U.S. music fans actually favor brands that engage them through their favorite tunes, according to Nielsen’s Music 360 report. And brands are using music as a way to connect with their consumers now more than ever.

Disturbing a sports fanatic while they’re watching a game isn’t normally a good idea. That’s because sports fans are connected and passionate when they’re engaged. But a major consumer electronics manufacturer found that disruptive advertising was the perfect way to increase purchase intent among avid football fans.

U.S. retailers have long considered Black Friday the unofficial start of the critical holiday selling season, but 85 percent of consumers plan on skipping the stores on Black Friday this year. However, A whopping 88 percent of consumers said they will use their computers again this year to do their Cyber Monday shopping.

Second-screen usage is the latest way consumers engage with television content. This is good news for brands and advertisers because the additional exposure across screens is having a big impact on ad effectiveness.

The right price often makes the difference between a sale and a switch. In fact, across five different product or service attributes analyzed in a Nielsen Global Survey of Loyalty Sentiment, offering the best price held the most persuasive power to motivate consumers to swap devotion to a brand, service provider or retailer.

Advertisers agree that integrated multi-screen campaigns are going to become vastly more important in the next three years. They also plan to increase their spending on these types of campaigns. In order to achieve maximum effectiveness in these efforts, however, advertisers need to measure audience delivery, brand lift and sales impact with common metrics across screens.

Even though technology is rapidly changing the way consumers listen to radio, traditional tune-in remains strong and vibrant. Tech advances like satellite stations and online streaming services have certainly gained the spotlight in recent years, but terrestrial radio continues to attract the biggest audience.

Earning consumer devotion to a brand or store takes more than just offering a good product. Price, packaging, customer service and reputation are just some of the factors involved in a consumer’s decision-making process. But getting to the heart of what makes a consumer stick or switch can be the difference between flourishing and fading.

Europe’s most troubled economies reported good news in the third quarter, as consumer confidence increased in Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain, according the Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence.

Innovation isn’t easy. Globally, at least 90 percent of new product introductions fail in the year they launch. India is often viewed as a hotbed of innovation, but truth be told, the odds of launching a breakthrough success in this market may not be meaningfully better than anywhere else in the world.

New business brings new opportunity, and Nielsen Audio, acquired at the end of September 2013, is doing just that. Today, Nielsen is sharing with clients and the industry the first in a series of investments we’ll be making in our newly acquired audio business in the second half of 2014.

There’s nothing like seeing the big picture or having everything you need right in front of you. And when it comes to insights into what consumers are watching and buying, everything you need is now right at your fingertips.

Planning for the future grew in importance around the world in the third quarter, as more global consumers expressed a focus on saving and investing than they did three months earlier. According to Nielsen’s latest Global Survey of Consumer Confidence, more than half of global respondents said they are putting spare cash into savings, and one-fourth said they are investing in shares of stocks and mutual funds.

Retailers are already rolling out their holiday promotions, and those efforts appear to be working, as nearly one quarter of U.S. consumers have started their holiday shopping. Holiday shoppers can also be notorious procrastinators, as 60 percent say they will wait a bit before they start their shopping. So what does this mean for U.S. retail sales this year?

Reticent consumers are eager to open up their wallets, but they know that global economic conditions are still fragile. Backed by growing optimism, discretionary spending intentions around the world increased across all categories measured in the third quarter compared with those three months earlier.

When economic times are tough, consumers around the world adopt consistent strategies to cut back and save money, but understanding market-by-market tactical variations is essential. Understanding brand position and the retail demand landscape allows companies to adjust strategies and tactics in order to protect profitable shoppers.

Whether browsing the news headlines about international news, U.S. politics, or the latest tech gadgets, 111 million Americans visited News websites in September 2013. That’s more than half of the Americans (54%) who were active on the Web.

All music lovers have at least one album in their collection that they know all the words to, just like movie buffs have that one DVD that seems to spend more time in the player than it does in its case. While these titles aren’t always traditional cult classics, their followings have become cult-like over time.

There’s no mistaking the impact that a change in seasons has on consumer behavior. And in looking at Nielsen’s portable people meter ratings each month, it’s clear that seasonality affects what audiences are listening to on the radio as well.